How do you perceive the world?
I often think, as I speak to friends and family or meet people in life/ on social media who are deeply attached to all that is “wrong“ in the world, that I wish everyone could experience life the way I most often do, at least for a little while.
As I was thinking about this, I began to write my thoughts (as I do…) – that I wish that people could see life the way I do – but life is not meant to simply be seen.
Just to “see” life is a little like eating a piece of chocolate with no sweetener. Or protein with no seasoning. It may sustain and nourish us, but when we add salt, pepper, lemon, fresh herbs, a dash of paprika or whatever spice it is that we prefer, our experience of the meal is elevated.
Integrating the full expression of who we are into as many moments as we are able is just like this.
Life is meant to be experienced with all of our senses; and this is a crucial aspect of tapping into our ability to be happy and grateful – seeing life through rose-colored glasses rather than viewing our day-to-day with a lens of shadow and angst.
When we are on a walk outdoors – or just puttering in the yard, we might stop for a moment to really appreciate and drink in the beauty of nature – the sound of an afternoon breeze as it ripples through the sun-dappled canopy of brilliant green leaves, leaving little kisses of refreshing coolness on your face and arms.
The smile on a neighbor’s face and the smell of fresh cut grass as they run their lawnmower.
The smell of a child’s skin as they nap in our arms, or the scent of a lover as you become lost in their touch.
The taste of good wine on the tongue as you gaze at a loved one across the table.
The sound and feel of a raucous gathering of family and friends at dinner, game night or out dancing.
The way music can not only please the ears, but move us emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I sometimes even “see” colors moving in patterns in my mind when I am fully integrated in a musical experience. Or a good meal. Or really connected sex.
We are a species that is biologically and genetically inclined to worship – to the experience of awe and wonderment. We are meant to see the beauty – and the tragedy – of all that is in the world.
I believe that it is the fact that so many of us become lost in the day-to-day, the busy-ness, the distraction and the problems of the “world” that keeps us from enjoying this feeling of wonder and worship more often.
We begin to worship the media. Politics. Our problems – our jobs, our dysfunctional relationships, our tragedies instead of our triumphs. And in doing so, we become lost. We forget the amazing gift it is for us to be alive in the world.
It may be possible that my unique expression of genetic predisposition and perhaps past life experience enables me to connect to All That Is a little more than the average person. I have definitely had a touch of the “mystic” for as long as I can remember, but much of this ability is deliberate practice. I remind myself to stop and smell the roses, literally and figuratively, multiple times a day, every single day. And everyone is capable of this practice. It is Neurological programming or re-programming, as the case may be. What we focus on, we become, right?
Through sitting with the fullness of whatever we encounter in the moment, we come closest to the full experience of beauty, to our true selves, to happiness, and to our connection to the divine.
This ties into so many other aspects of living a joyful, deliberate life – when we practice gratitude and the experience of living in the beauty of each moment, we train our RAS (Reticular Activating System/the mind’s “reality filter”) to bring more of these experiences to us. We begin to deliberately shape a more fulfilling life. We can begin to experience the unfolding of reality in a way that often feels filled with magic and miracles. We become more connected to our own emotions and ability to be vulnerable. To trust. To be forthright.
This may seem like a whole lot of woo-woo bullsh#t, but it is science, babe. When we change the way we look at the world, not only do we alter the chemistry of our mind and body but we also change the way our genes express themselves – this is epigenetics.
On the spectrum of quantum mechanics, if particles/molecules have been shown to respond to our thought/observation, and we “see” the world through a lens of lack and shadow, isn’t that how reality literally shapes itself around us?
Gratitude and appreciation… Such a seemingly small practice – that can completely change our lives.
Isn’t that a beautiful thing?
Big love.🥰
- Terah💖
This Blessed Sacred Life 