It is interesting what happens when one draws attention to something. In my last article, I wrote about the importance of noticing… noticing myself and the world around me. Although I have been honing my skills around this practice for many years, I feel by drawing my attention to it in a very conscious manner and renewing my commitment to including it in my Personal Daily Practice (PDP), I have stretched myself to a new level of noticing…. In a sense, my efforts to notice have become even more acute. This is exciting for me to see my world through a new and sharper lens.
Each morning I go for a short walk as a way to enter my day and raise my vibration. I place no pressure on speed, duration of time, distance or style but rather focus on the act of easing into my day and noticing my state of being and all that vibrates around me. It is amazing how this simple act of morning noticing brings me appreciation and gratitude for what and who is present in my life. It also highlights that, which may need my attention.
But let me take a step back as my act of noticing actually begins at that moment when my consciousness is gradually awakened from my world of dreams. I invite you to also begin your PDP by noticing your first wakeful breath. Consider this initiation….
MY PERSONAL DAILY PRACTICE – PDP
Step 2 – Learning the Act of NOTICING
Notice how you wake in the morning?
Are you startled by your transition from sleep to wakefulness?
Are you groggy, sleepy, listless and down in your mood?
Or is your entry more gradual, calm and rested.
Or do you bounce out with enthusiasm?
Are you stressed by what the world may deliver to you?
Or are you excited to launch into your day?
Where in your body do you most feel it?
Describe your state of being in this very moment?
How acute are your senses to this feeling?
How strong is your desire to change this way of being?
With your eyes still closed, draw your attention to your inner waking space.
Breathe deeply into your belly, letting it expand fully and then exhale by hollowing it.
Collapse your mid-section, curling your spine and shoulders.
Repeat the inhale as you role your shoulders back, gently arching your spine.
Now open your eyes.
Stretch and flex your limbs.
Notice any tension, pinching, tightening, or gripping.
Notice what you perceive with your eyes, ears, smell, and touch.
Notice your emotions.
Notice your state of mind.
Notice your cellular configuration.
As you rise out of bed….
Notice the room.
Notice the colour and texture of the light.
Notice the walls and the ceiling.
Notice the floor in your room and down through the hallways.
Notice what flutters and peers in at you through the windows.
As you move into your family space…
Notice the other members of your household.
Notice the words you use to express yourself to them.
Notice how they react to you.
Notice other’s interactions with you.
Notice how you react to them…
If you choose to engage with nature…connecting with your garden or running or walking along a nearby trail.
Notice the beauty.
Notice the jarring.
Notice the colours around you… deeply rich or vibrant spring greens, multiple layers of shades and pastels.
Notice how nature never discriminates in its colour or texture combinations.
Notice how silently the early morning shadow of a branch sweeps across your path.
Notice how your own shadow follows only inches behind or beside you.
Notice how nature twists and turns, ebbs and flows, offers and then withdraws.
Notice the buzzes, the chirps, the trickles, the whispers.
Notice the aromatic whiffs of a blooming scent.
Notice Father-Sky above you; and Mother-Earth beneath you.
Stop for a moment as you absorb these gifts.
Notice how your body responds.
When back in your family space savour a steaming cup of your beverage of choice as you integrate all that you noticed and feel how your body has responded thus far.
I recommend listening to Paul Horn’s beautiful CD called Taj Mahal to gently accompany you heralding in your morning.
If you didn’t have a chance to complete your complimentary Personal Daily Practice (PDP) form titled Step 1 – Initiating the Act of Noticing,Noticing-Personal-Daily-Practice-exercise.
Begin to heighten your awareness around noticing.
Vivian
About Vivian
Visionary storyteller, Vivian Hitchman, authors inspirational, imaginative, and empowering works, with a focus on helping people understand life’s meanderings.
Through her writings, she encourages kids to be resilient and steadfast against negative input, helping them to find the positives in their experiences.
Applying her years of experience and expertise as a life coach, Vivian challenges readers to move beyond their limiting beliefs, negative self-talk, and destructive patterns of behaviour, helping them gain greater resiliency and fulfillment in their lives.
