Take Time For Yourself

Let's take a look at taking time just for ourselves each day.
Each day we set aside time for others, a coffee with a friend, a call to a business associate, or a meeting to discuss an issue we have or they have. We rarely ever set time to be. We read books, listen to music, work out, but when do we just sit and enjoy the quiet time with ourselves?
When I was young, I used to take motorcycle rides in the country and stop and listen to the silence. It was amazingly cathartic.
Now we are so busy with everything there seems no time. If you can make time for all the people in your life and all the activities you enjoy, why not try making 10 minutes for quiet reflection to enjoy the now, where we are. Not thinking of what we must do, have or achieve, but to just sit in the now and listen to what is in that moment.
Wayne Dyer refers to this as getting in the gap. Eckart Tolle refers to it as a break from the ego. We all need this every day. To just sit or lie down, hopefully in nature, and just be.
You may think about the difficulty in this. Maybe for you, it is hard to just sit and be. There are many ways and opportunities that you have to be present in the moment. Let me invite you to suspend all judgment and try these two exercises today without thinking about them, just be in them.
Start by getting three pieces of your favourite fruit and sit in a quiet spot. First, notice the fruit. Take a large breath and let it go. What does the fruit look like? How does the light come off of it? What colour is it? Take another deep breath in and let it go. Now see how the fruit feels. Close your eyes and notice what you feel. Bring it to your nose and notice how it smells. What are you noticing? Take another deep breath in, and as you let it go, place the piece of fruit in your mouth. Feel the texture, taste, temperature. Notice all you can about this small gift you have given yourself. Now begin to press on it with your tongue. If it does not crush, move it to your teeth. First on one side, then the other, holding the juice in your mouth. Begin to swallow. Feel the juice and textures. Clean your teeth and remove all remnants of the fruit.
Return your gaze to the two remaining pieces of fruit. Repeat this experience with each piece. There is no telling how long all of this will take. Remember to the goal is to immerse yourself in the moment. You can do this anytime you eat once you have trained your self to be.
Another thing you can try today is to set a timer to interrupt your day. When it goes off, no matter what you are doing, stop and take five deep breaths, as deep as you can. Sit straight with your feet flat on the floor. If possible, remove your shoes to get a better grounding. Close your eyes and focus on each breath. As the air comes into your body, think of what you are grateful for in this moment. Hold your breath for a count of three, then let the air go, and as it rushes from your body, let go of any frustrations you may have.
Enjoy getting to know yourself today and notice how your day changes as you become more present.