Do a memory march
Take a cheerful voyage down the memory lane
and think of all good things your friends have done for you. Then choose five
friends whose special gestures made you happy and express your gratitude to
them. Yes, touching lives [and feeling enriched as a result] is that simple.
Be absolute, do nothing
Sit quitely in one place and do nothing –
not even think. Of course, it’s not easy. We all seem to feel a certain level
of reassurance by keeping our minds occupied at all times. Indeed, for many,
doing nothing and being completely with one’s self is downright terrifying.
Still, take a chair and sit quitely and focus on your breath. Start with five
minutes. Just be. Even if thoughts come, don’t fight them. Simply bring back
your focus to your breath. Gradually expand the time to 15 minutes. Once you
master this process, you will begin to feel more aware and relaxed.
Even
if thoughts come, don’t fight them. Simply bring back your focus to your
breath. Gradually expand the time to 15
Build a ‘create corner’
We have dedicated a space to everything in
our homes – except to ourselves. Even our wasing machine has its own corner to
blithely shudder away in solitude. How about finding a corner or space in your
home and dedicating it to yourself – for doing what you like? Creating a
distinct physical of this space within us. As you assemble this space and
maintain its sanctity, you will simultaneously construct a dedicated mind
space. Place your favourite souvenir, a good book or aromatic candles in the
space to give it a more sacred feel.
Reserve a quite period
Wake up 30 minutes early; make yourself a
cup of green tea and surf the web or read some poetry in complete silence. Or
go on a glorious morning walk. Or visit your favourite coffee shop every Sunday
and write a journal while biting into your favourite cookie. Do it before the
rest of the inmates in your life wake up. Follow it like a Japanese ritual.
Make
yourself a cup of green tea
Volunteer
Everyone wants to be charitable with money
but few of us actually give our time to others. Giving your time for a cause
you believe in is mighty fulfilling. So go ahead and sign up as a volunteer –
you’ll discover fresh new perspectives. It could be teaching dance to street
kids or computer skills to underprivileged women. Give a little of your time
and presence – what you’ll get in return will be a lot more.
Box of Joy
Stash a small nox of keepsakes on your desk
at works – it’s your very own ‘box of joy’. Put in it anything that reminds you
of a treasured experience. Anything nostalgic will do – your child’s first pair
of booties, your monogrammed cricket ball, first anniversary gift or even the
worn-out movie tichket of your first date. You can dip into this box whenever
you require an emotional surge – just like that box of raisins gives you the
much-needed energy kick when you’re feeling weary and down.
linger
on one activity each day. Come alive to the process
Finally, remember that every moment carries
within itself a seed of indulgence. So don’t relegate your indulgence to a
weekend slot. Even your morning tea can be a perfect ritual for indulgence.
Watch the moment as you savour the bittersweet aroma, its smoothness as you
swirl it in your mouth, the sigh of satisfaction as you gulp a mouthful. Feel
the hot trail of the liquid as it goes down your throat and experience the
comforting warmth as it radiates up to the end of your toes. This way, linger
on one activity each day. Come alive to the process. Life will become one beautiful
indulgence.
