don’t let it happen so fast
Nature never hurries: atom by atom, little by little, she achieves her work.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
As occasional bursts of heat begin to steamroll past spring, I often experience sweet nostalgia for my summer vacation anticipation as a child: freedom, sun, pool time [time to practice being a mermaid], beach, trips to new or familiar places with new or familiar faces. And then, in the blink of a salt-watery eye, it was over.
Especially with technology these days [not to date myself by saying technology these days], life moves at lightening speed. I truly believe this, among others, is one of the many reasons why wellness and mindfulness practices are so hot right now.
Our minds and bodies are habitually racing and planning for the future without much downtime or intention to soften into the present, and as a result we sub/consciously crave that restful, rejuvenating space.
We need not have everything in place – be it “beach body” [what does that even mean?] or beach toys or a specific game plan for summer travels – in order to appreciate what exists in the moment. As a type-A serial-planner myself, I continue to notice the magic that arises in the unplanned, the uncertain, the open-ended – all of which helps keep us attentive and aware.
Emerson says it simply: nature never hurries. And so I follow up with the conclusion that, if we as humans are a product of nature, then why do we feel the need to race through life?
Getting grounded is a pertinent practice anywhere, for anyone, at any time. Even as we bounce around throughout the joyousness that summer has to offer, we can remind ourselves to check back in whenever possible.
Here are a few intentions, practices, and clean eats to consider and enjoy this season:
- Move my body, even if that means wiggling around at home or on vacation – like this core sequence from my girl Aditi. Never underestimate the power of 5-10 minutes, or supportive friends.
- Concoct smoothies and cooling beverages like peach ginger mint, strawberry rose, green tahini cherry, iced matcha lattes with homemade almond milk, a cooling date shake and a ginger mint limeade both from Divya Alter’s Ayurvedic cookbook.
- Enjoy healthy treats like carob sunbutter cookies, blueberry coconut milk ice cream, homemade chocolate, matcha coconut yogurt cheesecake tart, and my favorite brown rice-krispie treats.
- Forgive myself and others, and recall the past without attachment, to cultivate stress-free space.
- Accept divine timing – everything happens as it should, even if it feels out of place.
- Continue to learn from life, people, and places – it is OK not to have everything figured out.
- Keep exploring Ayurveda in regards to how I feel as it relates to the summer season.
- Get grounded, whether en route or at a final destination, whether at home or on the go.
- Explore and meet new places and faces / reconnect with familiar places and faces.
- Come together as a community at Mindful Mornings.
What will you do this summer to appreciate your Selves and the moment – just as it is and just as you are – before it’s over?
Photo: Sipan, Croatia.
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