Attention without feeling, I began to learn, is only a report. An openness — an empathy — was necessary if the attention was to matter. Mary Oliver
It’s a warm So Cal winter’s day in early December. We just had two or three days of very heavy and much needed rain leaving the air bright and crystal clear. I sit at my favorite spot for writing blogs—the Montage Hotel lobby in Laguna Beach. From my seat I have a view a large fireplace, a huge Christmas tree, and in the background out the window is a magnificent scene of the Pacific Ocean.
Mindfulness
As I write, drinking sparkling water and nibbling on a small pastry I find myself in a most pleasant state of contentment and peace during what is commonly a time of frantic of Christmas preparations and producing year-end business obligations. And yet, for some inexplicable reason, I am able to disregard the lists of things I need to do and just focus on the simple pleasure of writing in a serene and beautiful location.
So why is this so? I think it has much to do with that newly popular concept of Mindfulness and giving targeted attention to the mundane—(as if you can call my locale mundane).
Paying attention to the beauty of your environment and the people you may be with is a matter of will. It is a conscious choice to actually take the opportunity to observe your current situation with a heartfelt appreciation.
Your Current Wealth
My friend Dena Crowder told me she was advised by another friend to begin each day pondering the question, “What makes me wealthy?” It seems much like another version of writing an appreciation list for the day, but I resonate with using the window of “wealth,” because wealth can rightly be defined as those activities, people, and even possessions that contribute to your “wealth.”
The take-away is that Dena makes a daily decision to view her life other than through the lens of tasks and pressing concerns of life and of this crazy season. She reports that this simple activity has impacted her daily life significantly. I think this is the heart and soul of beginning your day in a “mindful mindset.” You are preparing to start your day in a positive mindful manner.
Unfortunately, the negative situations of your life can very easily overwhelm you and just leave you in a bad spot for the remainder of the day or week. Not good.
So in this season of joy why don’t you and I make a concerted effort to practice paying attention to the beauty that is in your life right now?
Do You Want to Discover Your Wealth
Just Look Around at the Wonder of Your Life
Photo courtesy of Charlie at the Montage
Love this, Charlie! I have many wonders in my life and this helped me to realize them and appreciate them all the more. Thank you!
Thanks you Laura. You’re right. No matter our situation we can generally finally extraordinary aspects of our lives that go simply unnoticed. Thanks so much for your encouragement. I hope you have a great holiday.