With the New Year safely behind us, we
can truly begin enjoying this brand new
year. It is a new beginning after all. Or
better yet, let us see it as ‘A thousand
different beginnings.’
If 2020 has taught us anything at all, it
would probably be that we are stepping into
the unknown each and every day.
I invite you to embrace your day, your
stance, your breath, as much today, than
you do new year beginnings. Why?
Because you step into each day the moment
you wake. And, you get on with your day
whether you direct your schedule, your
mindset, your focus or not.
When you embrace the day, you are in
control. When you are in control, you gain
a sense of well being. When you gain a
sense of well being, living life becomes
much easier. They may sound like baby
steps and that’s because they are.
Taking in one day at time, with focus, with
effort, with deliberate mindfulness, you are
choosing to be present, make strong choices
and grow: one small step at a time. Better
yet, you are choosing to do so, one breath at
a time.
‘Choice’ is a funny word isn’t it? We forget
how many choices we make in a day. It is
so automatic for us to grab a sweater, tie
our shoes, walk out the door, pick up some
groceries and get home not even realizing
how we did it. I urge you to follow an
ancient adage ‘always be a beginner.’ ’It is
one of my favourites. Try this in your day:
When you choose to view tying your shoes
as a beginner, or picking up fresh produce
at the market – as a beginner, you choose to
truly pay attention. This type of attention is
called being ‘mindful’. Mindfulness is a
practice and consists of focus + awareness.
We can all do it. But, most of us forget to
practice it unless we have to or are
reminded. Here is your chance. I am
reminding you to practice, once a day.
Once a day, choose to do one
activity/errand/chore as a beginner.
For example, as you prepare your cup of
tea, select the tea with a clear head, take a
deep breath, explore the tea blend, its
aroma, its texture, the way it is packaged.
See where the tea is harvested and
manufactured. Bring the water to a boil and
pour the water over the tea slowly,
gingerly.
Take time. Be aware and focus on this
action. Watch the water become tea.
Mindfulness can begin in every cup. Let me
know how the tea tastes once you have
prepared it as a beginner. What other
simple, short chores or activities can you
practice mindfully?
As we gear up to celebrate Chinese New
Year, we are reminded that we can have a
fresh start many times over, each and every
year, not just on January 1. In various
traditions, religions and cultures, we see
that ‘new beginnings’ are always just around
the corner. Let us embrace the beginnings
as the gift that they are.
Celebrate with love and compassion in your
heart this February. Raise a toast of wine, a
steaming cup of Java, or your favourite tea
brew.
Proclaim this month of February,
traditionally all about love, to be your
month of growing warmth in your heart and
taking on each day with love instead.
Embrace the growing daylight, new
beginnings, calling up old friends to catch
up, start seedlings on your kitchen counter,
try some new recipes or a new take out
restaurant, allow yourself to grow in love.
I invite you to find your favourite quote on
beginnings, starting fresh and read it every
morning when you wake in February. It is
one of the easiest ways to begin thinking
anew.
“Do not wait until the conditions are perfect
to begin. Beginning makes the conditions
perfect.” – Alan Cohen
Monika Meulman, Zen Life Guide
416-347-5449: The Healing Muse
Apothecary
~ your breath of fresh air ~
@healingmuse
www.healingmuse.com