I set out for CrossFit. The wind swept my first breath away
the second I stepped out onto King Street downtown Toronto. The chill in the
air stung my skin, an abrupt reminder that winter is here. I adjusted, and for
a moment escaped in my mind to embrace the warmth and softness of the cashmere
scarf I’d pulled up over my chin. The snow fell softly as I stood waiting to
cross at one of the busiest intersections in the city. I noticed people all
around me rushing to escape the cold.
For a moment, I just stood still. I couldn’t help but smile
as the snow gently tickled my cheeks, a rhythm of its’ own, despite the chaos
and frenzy of traffic and people all around me. I could help but stick out my
tongue to catch a snowflake, and then giggled at the feeling of being a child
again just for a moment. Not a care in the world. It felt SO GOOD. I couldn’t help
but smile the rest of the way. It occurred to me how so often I am so far ahead
or behind of the moment in my thoughts that I miss the chance to enjoy such
simple and beautiful wonders. Like how peaceful the world can seem when it
snows, a reminder of the miracles of everyday life that surround us.
In that moment, an intense sensation of warmth flowed
through my body. Never in a million years did I picture my life as it is today.
Pretty awesome! In a quick reality check as I heard a car honking at the next
intersection, it dawned on me how much stress we face when we cannot stay
present in a moment.
What if we could learn to see through the eyes of our inner
child again? To experience the world as it happens, with wonder and awe. To be
inspired, surprised and delighted by the things around us every day. To let go
of the need to anticipate, prepare, plan or escape this moment. Right here,
right now, no matter what or who is on your mind, everything is ok. A child
embraces life as it comes. Reacting authentically to every situation. No need
to apply past experience, seeing everything for the first time.
Everything we see actually is for the first time. We simply
choose to apply our past experiences to everything that comes instead of
sitting back and simply observing life as it unfold before us, knowing nothing
is like anything we’ve ever experienced before. We are free to explore and
judge everything for the first time.
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