Don’t forget to smell the roses

How often are you late for work, or in a rush to get somewhere, and so busy concentrating on getting there, that you arrive with no recollection of the journey? We do this on a larger scale in life too; we’re so busy going after our dream, chasing that mythical day in the future when we’ll achieve our goal… that we forget to enjoy the journey.

We are so very blessed in this life; the world is a truly amazing place. We have amazing feats of nature all around us, as well as friends, family, pets and much more. Quite often we become so obsessed with chasing what we don’t have, we forget to appreciate what is already here in our lives.

This might sound like an odd suggestion to you, but getting into the habit of gratitude can have a dramatic effect on your life. If you can make it part of your routine to think of ten things you’re grateful for each day, it will really change your perspective on life in general. Why not try it while you’re cleaning your teeth each night? It’s been scientifically proven that doing this trains your mind to search out the positive in any given situation, which contributes to your then being naturally happier. And who doesn’t want to be more happy?

Try it now: stop and think, what am I grateful for?

This stopping to think is the very essence of yoga; the aim is to be present in the moment and to detach ourselves from the human need to grasp at things out there. We always seem to be in such a rush, trying to catch the next thing and the next thing and the next thing. If we could only start to make stillness a part of our lives, we would become much happier.

Meditation helps us to find that stillness within ourselves on a regular basis; the gap between our thoughts. It is this stillness that in essence gives us the ability to appreciate the present moment – without being distracted by the past or the present. Meditation and yoga both help us to be fully present, less reactive to our surroundings, and more joyful.

Have you ever heard that saying, “yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present”? It’s really true; this moment, right now, is really the only important one; it’s the only moment you can change. Why waste your time worrying about what has been or might one day be? There are so many fantastic things going on all around you, right now; just take a look!

By all means, strive to achieve more. Chase you dreams and reach for the sky – but don’t forget to stop and smell the roses on the way.

Enjoy!

Love

Anandi