Mindfulness While Being Present in the Moment

Photo by Элен Пройс: https://www.pexels.com/photo/violet-flower-growing-in-grass-8579525/

The hustle of the holidays are long past but the winter cold still clings tightly to our little piece of the world. I begin to get anxious this time of year, sensing that the change of seasons is getting closer and with it the warmth and beauty of spring. I love winter, if I only have to view it through a window from my warm, comfortable, home. I am a warm weather, bright sunshine person by nature. As March approaches I find myself anxiously searching the landscape for signs of our beautiful purple crocus pushing their way up into the light. They are the first signs that Spring will be here soon and they are a blessing to my winter battered soul.

My thoughts stray back to a weeked late last spring working in our garden with my husband and grandson. Our little guy never sits still long and he loves all things outside. Particularly yard work and gardening. He is in constant motion learning and exploring this world. He reminds me often that mindfulness doesn't have to happen while sitting still. I recall a specific weekend where he helped remind me of this fact. I practiced being mindful and being in the moment with him. There was no time to sit, or be quiet because he was three. There is much too much to do when you are three and none of it requires sitting and being quiet.

He wanted to plant and help with everything all while sneaking, um I mean snacking, on the strawberries that we grow. We had a large list of items that we had to accomplish so it could have been very easy for me to get frustrated with his "help" or push him off but I strived to stay present in the moment to help his little curious mind grow. We examined bugs as we cut back the old spring foliage. I walked at his pace when he loaded up his tiny wheel barrow to take it back to the compost bin. We harvested radishes. That was exciting. He learned that he does not like radishes but pulling them is fun. I focused on his little face as he concentrated and then came to the quick realization that we found a garden veggie he doesn't like. I was there and present when his face changed from curiosity to dislike. He planted herbs with me with his own tiny trowel. He literally made me stop and smell the flowers. ALLLL THE FLOWERS. He got muddy as we watered and instead of getting frustrated, as was my initial gut reaction, I slipped back on my gardening clogs and splashed in the puddles with him. I reminded myself that mud washes out, but he would only be three once. He smelled the herbs, gleefully pointed out the sprouts of lettuce and peas in his own garden bed which reminded me of the joy of watching life grow, both his and our plants. We didn't stop moving all weekend except when we both fell to sleep exhausted from our exertions.

So while I didn't sit that weekend to meditate I still practiced mindfulness and being present in the moment. My body and mind thanked me for it and I hope the lessons and memories we created together will stick with him as he grows. Tell me what you did to be present in the moment this weekend and how did you feel when you were?

-A