Awareness, Mindfulness, living in our Consciousness, these are all words that have become so familiar lately. Most of us have heard the words, noticed the changes within ourselves as we’ve noticed the subtle changes in the world as well as our surroundings, or maybe some haven’t and that’s okay. “Be the change you want to see in the world”, has been the most common quote that I’ve seen lately and it really does make sense, change can’t begin in the world until we change from within first, until we look inside of ourselves, at the deepest aspect of who we are, what we want, and how we want to move forward in our lives and all of that can’t be done without being mindful, aware and conscious.
How many of us walk through our lives taking steps, without actually acknowledging the actual steps we are taking? How many breaths do we take without appreciating the fact that we are actually breathing? When the sun comes up in the morning, do you look outside and say thank you and appreciate the fact that you are here to see it? When someone who is in need to speak to you reaches out, do you put down your busy life to listen?
We all can get caught up in the busyness of life, rushing through every aspect of what we have to do, when it has to be done, I have to get here, I have to get there, I have this to do, that to do and I have no time to do this or that and before we know it we might lose sight of the important things, the small things that actually mean the world to us. We wind up walking or running through life anxiously getting to the next thing, not noticing the small things, like the steps we are taking to get to where we are walking or running to. We wind up not even realizing that our breath has become short and rapid instead of slow, controlled and appreciated, maybe even filling our lungs to capacity and allowing them to completely empty. We might not notice the beauty of the sun as she rises and the amazing wonder as the moon comes in to take her place at dusk. And we might get so busy that we can’t take the time to hear or spend precious moments with those whom we love the most whether that be friends or family, even though we mean to, because we assume they’ll just always be there….until the moment they’re not because yes, sometimes that. the other part of life happens too.
Mindful aware movements make a whole world of difference. Living with MS has taught me to appreciate awareness, slowing down and living in my consciousness. I have to step, walk, talk and do all things mindfully to be sure that I don’t drop, fall or hurt myself. By learning this lesson of slowing down and mindful movement it’s allowed me to actually ‘stop and smell the roses’ so to speak in every aspect of my life. Things many rush through, I no longer rush through, including the act of eating…why “nibble through life when you can taste it right”? (someone wise taught me that)
MS can be disabling if you allow it, just as life with it’s ups and downs can be, however when we slow down, take a step back into awareness and move consciously through life, we can see the beauty and appreciate all things, even and including the gift of something as large as Multiple Sclerosis.
I call Multiple Sclerosis a gift because even now, when again it’s being a challenge for me, I keep in mind that MS and it’s challenges brings the ‘gift’ of awareness. The gift is the awareness and mindfulness and living in my consciousness. I stop and slow down. I stop and appreciate that today I got up and walked, I stop and realize that today I woke up and noticed the sun and tonight I will notice the moon as she takes her place in the night sky. I am aware of my breath and I take full deep breaths completely filling and emptying out my lungs. I notice that I’m not alone on my journey, and that I have friends as well as all I have to do is go within for the answers. I am mindful of my friends and am here for them when they need me, despite my own clutter.
Most importantly I am mindful, aware and conscious that I am in need of taking care of me first so that I can go on to enjoy this great life that I’ve been gifted with. I am grateful for today as I was able to write this blog….Namaste
Lisa Bachrach~ Anahata Home Is Where The Heart Is 