As we step into March, we start the transition from winter into spring. This means erratic weather and lots of social events, deadlines, and activities.

It’s so easy to slip into thought patterns that stay in the past ( I should have ____ ) and in the goals for the future (I need to ______ before summer). I am guilty of this, spending hours journaling and planning out the next thing, the next thing, the next thing.

Meanwhile we are missing what’s happening RIGHT NOW.

And really, NOW is all we are guaranteed, this present moment. We have no control over the past or the future, just this moment.

This week, let’s agree to stay in the present more often. But how? Ours minds sometimes overpower our abilities to stay present. Especially if you have developed the habit of staying in the past or future.

But here is a practice you can do right now to feel more connected to the present moment: Awaken Your Senses

Do this:

1. Find a place where you can sit or stand or lay down for a short period of time without being disturbed.
2. Close your eyes, and allow yourself to settle in
3. Open your ears to the sounds happening around you. Inside the room, outside the room, near or far. Acknowledge each sound, but don’t linger on any one sound for long. Just go from sound to sound to sound.
4. Notice sensation in your mouth. Is there a taste in your mouth right now? What is the texture of your tongue, teeth, roof of the mouth? Explore your mouth with your senses.
5. Become aware of sensation in the nostrils. Feel the passage of air in both nostrils. Is there a smell?
6. If your eyes are still closed, notice the shapes and colors happening in the back of your eyelids. Again, don’t linger on one color or shape, just move from one to the next.
7. Open awareness to the sensation of air on skin. Notice the feeling of clothing on your skin. The connection between your body and whatever support you are using or standing on.
8. Anytime your mind starts to wander off into planning, listing, imagining, etc., acknowledge it and celebrate your return to sensing the present moment. You can silently repeat to yourself “I am here now!” with joy that you are living your life fully in this moment.
9. Stay in this practice of sensing the moment for as long as you like. 1 minute, 10 minutes, an hour. Any time spent fully present is a gift.

That’s it!

That’s it from me! I truly hope your week is full of ease, peace, and love.

From my heart to yours,

–Viviane Wolfe