Visual Mindfulness

I can't believe over a month has gone by!! Spring has finally sprung and we are in full swing towards Summer! So happy it is warm. We have had some amazing sunny days. Luckily I've had a chance to get out there and enjoy it. 

In my last post I mentioned how a lot of the time we are so busy with our day to day activities or work that we tend to go "visually numb". What I mean by this is that you may pass a field of blooming flowers and see it but not really see it. You may pass it everyday but you never really see its beauty. Visual Mindfulness is slowing down and enjoying the visual beauty around us. Like the phrase "...to stop and smell the roses".

The Buddhists practice Mindfulness. Being aware of your present thoughts, body sensations, environment and being in tune with what you are sensing, In the Buddhist practice it is to keep yourself in the present, and leave past and future thoughts behind... There is more to it than this but that is the basis of mindfulness.

Why the heck am I writing about this? Well it is definitely not to give anyone a Buddhist lesson. In this time of self isolation and quarantine we may be worried, have anxiety or fears of what's to come. We also have the ability to slow things down. Now that we are not rushing to work and back or to the grocery store, etc. We can take time out of our day to stretch a little and maybe go outside. I mentioned in my last post that sometimes that beauty is right in our back yard and we just don't see it.  We can take a walk and enjoy the cleaner air, the sunlight, flowers blooming... There are so many things we miss on a daily basis when we are busy. The current situation is out of our control but we can control how we feel and be mindful of our beautiful surroundings.

So I went out for a walk and took my camera. I wanted to be "visually mindful" today. What had I missed on my normal jogs around the neighborhood? How many times did I see something and not take it in because I was pressed for time or thinking about my breathing and other things? Or on a hike, when I was too busy with my thoughts instead of looking around and just taking it in. I've been hiking more and trying to do more outdoor activities lately. Especially now that I'm back to work. I'm limited in my work days so the other days I want to take advantage of and be outside. 

Recently, I found a new trail to hike. It's in Perinton not too far from me. What I love is that you would never know the trail head was there on that busy street if you weren't looking for it. I have passed it numerous times. And when I went looking for it, it took a U turn and slowing down to find it. At the end of one of the trails is the best treat...a pond with fish. Now, keep in mind, here a pond is like a small lake back home. The dog and I were both surprised. I have a local App that shows me all the local trails and I saw there was a body of water there but really thought it would be at the biggest the size of a pool. Well, to my surprise it's quite big. Here are some pic of the trail, it's flowers and all the amazing things I found through these woods. 

Someone put a swing here. If you sit in it you get a view of the field ahead and the woods behind you.  This was such an unexpected little find. Just cute!

So after a little walk through the woods you come out to a field of wild grass and flowers. As you see, Xena was just happy to lead.

After a short walk through the field you you go right back into the woods.

There was this little bridge that went over a little creek and led us to the pond.

As you come out of the woods and walk up you see this magnificent view of this pond. It even has fish in it, but it was too hard to take a picture since the water was a bit murky from the fish jumping out slightly and eating bugs!

Xena saying "come on mom, quit with the pictures! Haha!

It was such a peaceful walk in the woods and there were so many sounds, smells and sights. It was nice to just be able to take it in and relax. Being mindful of nature and her beauty. Until the next adventure!