Time waits for no man.
We are led to believe that time is a fast-paced thing,
Something that we need to grab hold of before it slips through our fingers.
This concept of time flying by can make us anxious and instill fear in our minds and bodies that does not serve us or assist us with a balanced,
Calm,
Heartfelt existence.
And whilst this is true that time is a precious thing to be valued,
We need to remember that it is something within our grasp,
Something we can experience rather than chase and be fearful of losing.
I want you to picture yourself in a lakeside setting.
There are tall pine trees all around you,
Reaching up into the beautiful clear blue sky above you.
You step towards the crystal clear water as the bank slopes gently towards the lake edge.
You are barefoot and notice the soft surface you are walking on has gone from earth to fine sand.
As you step towards the water,
Gently lapping the sandy shore,
The water caresses your feet.
You are comforted to feel that the water is warm and allow yourself to walk further in so that the water reaches above your ankles.
And now you stop.
Stand still and pause.
Pause this amazing picture in your mind's eye.
What can you feel?
Can you feel the warm cleansing water lapping around your ankles?
Can you feel the sun's rays on your face?
The warmth seeping into your skin and your bones?
Maybe you can feel a gentle breeze in the air moving around you.
What can you see?
The beautiful expansive lake in front of you.
The tall pine trees that surround the edge of the lake.
The lush green landscape that is rooted in mother earth and reaches up towards the sun.
The energy giving light that enables this greenness,
This life affirming colour of vibrancy and health.
Look up.
What is the sky like?
Is it clear blue or are there clouds?
What else can you see?
What can you hear?
Can you hear any birdsong?
Is there a gentle whooshing of the trees as the breeze blows them one way and then the other?
Can you hear any birdsong?
The buzzing of a bee?
The distant chatter of other people nearby?
Maybe children playing in the lake?
A dog barking for a stick to be thrown so it can leap into the cool waters to retrieve it?
Or maybe you are alone in your scene.
Without another soul in sight.
What can you smell?
Can you smell the pines fresh and earthy?
Maybe you can smell the water in the air?
Maybe the lake is fed by the mountains and be the freshest water you have ever seen and smelt and if so you could cup your hands and taste its purity.
Or maybe this lake is sea fed and there is a salty smell in the air.
The most delicious saltiness that lands on your lips to taste.
Is there anything else you can taste?
You may wish to go further into the lake to bathe now or if you'd rather you can stay here with the water caressing your ankles and taking it all in.
This is your scene,
Your lake,
Your time to spend here as you wish.
All your senses are alive and open.
So use this technique whenever you feel like time is rushing along or you wish to slow things down and take everything in.
Pause,
Take a breath,
Stop and look around you.
What can you see?
What can you smell?
What can you hear?
Is there anything you could taste?
And what can you feel?
Capture the picture and take your very own snapshot in time that you are able to take yourself back to whenever you wish.
And never forget that time can be paused,
Felt and experienced.
