Dear Friend How has your week been? Was it busy and full of pressures, pretty flowing and relaxed, or a mixed bag? Mine was mixed. There were some lovely happenings and developments with my teaching and new opportunites opening, plus some good support around for this. And also, as for most of us, the week brought it’s share of challenges too: some exhaustion, my mum unwell, my old dog injured and ailing, leaving me wondering how I was going to get out to work and whether this was the beginning of a downward spiral for my four legged friend. The result was one of those nights lying awake, wondering how things were going to pan out. A relatively small dilemma in the grand scheme of things, I know, and yet it brought it’s share of disturbance. I stepped out into the garden early the next morning, feeling a little the worse for wear after my disturbed night. As I stepped out, sitting not much more than an arm’s length away from me in my apple tree, so close and so tame, was a beautiful robin, singing his (or her) little heart out. Far away another bird was calling back. It stopped me in my tracks. I stood and listened and watched, spellbound by what felt like a morning love-song from Mother Nature. It was such a gift to hear, not only for its beauty and joy but also as a reminder of how much time we spend strung up in our heads, turning things over whilst meantime this incredible play of life goes on all around us. Just one moment’s pause and the gift of a bird in song, and perspective dawns. It can happen like this, can’t it? We see a beautiful sunrise, a bird in flight, a tree in full blossom and we pause to drink it all in. And as we pause for that moment, we are right there, with this wondrous existence and the hook of the thoughts in our minds is broken ….for that moment. I’m sure you’ve experienced it yourself? And so, stopping to listen, I made a resolve not to let the everyday concerns take me away from those little yet so precious moments that are available throughout our days if we only have the eyes to see them and the ears to hear them. Those little moments all add up to create days filled with appreciation for this wonderful and rich existence and we find ourselves living life as the preciousgift it is. Will you join me in this coming week also, with a resolve to remember to “stop and smell” the roses of life? No matter how challenging or painful life might be at any point in time, it remains a gift, doesn’t it? It is given to us without us even asking. And it is so short, isn’t it? It can be gone in the blink of an eye, and we never know when the moment will come when life as we know it, or life itself, will be taken from us. This week, let’s take time to notice the richness of life and the preciousness all that surrounds us. We are only travellers here. One day we will be gone, and the birds will still sing, and the flowers will still bloom, and the sun will still rise. While we are here to witness it, let’s not miss the chance. In missing this chance, in missing these moments, we miss life. And this pausing and noticing is a perfect way to break the turn of the wheel of the mind, giving us a much longed for break from it’s constant inner chatter, bringing us even for just a moment or two that sense of peace and wholeness we crave. Spring is a wonderful time to pause, notice and to celebrate the little things and the beauty of life. Nature is waking up all around us. If we set the conscious intention this week, we can all pause to wonder at the song of a bird, the rising of the sun, the stars shining in the night sky, the fresh shoots coming through the earth, the flowers starting to blossom everywhere, the fresh face of a small child, the story of a life etched onto the face of an elderly person we meet along our way. When we bring our awareness and appreciation into the ordinary, everyday expriences they are transformed. The ordinary becomes extraordinary, the habitual and familiar becomes profound. Even a cup of tea with a loved one, a snuggle up with a pet or a favourite blanket, an interaction with the lady behind the counter at the local newsagents, being able to drive an elderly relative somewhere, or to drop off a young relative somewhere. All these things that we take for granted as the ordinary and everyday, become precious moments and blessed gifts from a bountiful existence when we bring our awareness and appreciation to them. . If we stop and notice, we will see that existence showers flowers on us always. There is so much cause to be joyful, and to pause, and quietly celebrate this life. And so this week, can we count blessings together? Let’s forget what isn’t or what might be, and celebrate what is! And as I stop and “smell the roses this week”, I will remember all of you, and give thanks for the joy and happiness that so many of bring to my own little share of this precious gift called Life.    THIS EVENING  enjoy this traditional practice as you lie in your bed to go to sleep. In your mind’s eye, go back over your day, from the most recent act – the act of getting into bed, cleaning your teeth – to the first acts of the day. (You may fall asleep before you reach the point where you woke up that day). As you go back through your day, however, reflect on the miracle and gift of each small act . Even having a warm bed to get into, fresh running water to clean our teeth with, electricity to turn on and off – all these we take for granted and yet so many don’t have access to them. They are gifts to us. Even the painful and difficult moments have a gift hidden within them, some insight or lesson right? Count blessings this evening through thish practice, and remember the gift of the everyday things that carry us through our life. Altogether, these little things serve as a reminder of the incredibly rich and blessed life we have been given. We have been given so much without even asking, haven;t we? THIS WEEK  Why not take a moment every day to step out into your garden or to open the window, and just look around, drinking in the beauty of life around you. Hold this image in your mind and heart, or an image of a flower, or a tree, fresh shoots, or a bird in song. Anything that captures your mind and heart. When the negative wheel of your mind stats to turn this week, bring to it’s forefront that image you are holding. Let it serve as a reminder that no matter what is showing up in your life, there is much to be thankful for, Existence loves you and constantly gives to you generously and unconditionally. No matter how good or bad our life is, let’s wake up each morning this week and be thankful that we still have one, and celebrate all we have. I’d love to know how you get on with these practices. Please get in touch any time to let me know. I’d love to hear from you. Have a wonderful week. I hope it is full of wonder and many precious moments. | 
