Stop...and smell the flowers

Hello

"Don't hurry, don't worry. You're only here for a short visit. So be sure to stop and smell the flowers." ~ Walter Hagen

I love this quote for its simplicity, truthfulness and the wisdom it carries. As I see it, this is great advice on how we should live. Stopping to smell the flowers is truly a wonderful tool for living that really does make possible finding satisfaction in life. It is simply another way of looking at life that can actually help us to slow down, live in the moment, appreciate more the beauty around us and have greater awareness of what is. Sounds like a philosophy of life we should all aspire to, but the truth is, a lot of us, myself included, struggle to consistently put into practice. Despite my well intended efforts, I find I must remind myself often to remember to take time to stop and smell the flowers. Thankfully, when I do forget, my husband and daughter are right there to help me see what's really important.

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we are moving so quickly, often reacting on autopilot with self and others, that it's easy to lose our focus on that which is close and dear to our heart. Naturally, when this happens, we fail to see and appreciate the day-to-day little things that are precious in our lives.

Conversely, if we just slow down and pay attention to what is inside, in front of and around us, we will take notice of what matters most. I've found that it's helpful to keep repeating and hearing myself say " Stop and smell the flowers," again and again. This strategy helps me to keep my priorities in order. It reminds me that indeed I have a choice of what I give my attention to. For instance, I can choose to worry, complain, overthink or stress out over things I have no control over or I can try to put my troubles in perspective, and not take life and myself too seriously. Better yet, I can learn to enjoy my short life here on earth no matter what.

Of course, it goes without saying that we must continuously look at the way we are living. In all honesty, I can tell you that I am able to enjoy more of what life has to offer simply because I am aware of it. Just like everything else that we learn in life, enjoying simple pleasures takes practice and consistent effort. The fact of the matter is that we must be willing to approach life with open hearts and eyes to see how extraordinary it really is. Moreover, we must understand that focusing on what is rather than what lies ahead or what has been, is what makes smelling the flowers along the way possible. I will admit, I am by no means a natural at this process, however, what helps is my willingness to adjust and readjust my attitude as is needed. It's not easy, but it's worth it.

The time to start is now because as you know, life goes by very fast. Once the time passes, it's gone forever and those special moments that you missed you will not get back. One of the things that I do to stay on track of the small beautiful details of my life is to try to live each day being conscious of my mortality. Yes, remembering that I will die helps me to not take my life for granted. Perhaps Dr. Gordon Livingston, in his book, Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart, said it best: "Only by embracing our mortality can we be happy in the time we have."

Do the things that you want to do, Now! It does matter, because life is short. No matter how busy your life may be, don't forget to stop and smell the flowers. While you are planning your life, pursuing your dreams and goals, keep in mind that the real challenge is being aware of what we already have. I realize this is a lot easier said than done. It is one thing to know it and quite another to live it. Like many folks, I am prone to forget that I have much to be grateful for. I sometimes get bogged down with the nonsense of everyday life and become distracted, impatient, and easily frustrated. I too, lose sight of the "big picture." Luckily, once I see my behavior for what it is, I am able to change perspective.

On other point I want to emphasize is how much we tend to focus on what we want and still need in our lives. What if instead our focus was on already having? Isn't it all a matter of perception? I am convinced that changing what we focus on does make a real difference in our lives. You may want to consider this.

Life is a terrible thing to waste. Don't miss out on it. We must do our best to live in the present. Stop worrying about the future and instead, look for all the positive influencers in your life today. We know that life is hard and it's not always fair, but life is also beautiful, good and precious. There are many reasons for us to stop and smell the flowers.

Here's how:

*Spend time with those you love and give them your full attention.
*Engage in daily rituals to quiet the body and mind through: journaling, exercise, yoga, meditation, prayer, walks, and silence to enjoy the gift of reflection.
*Give yourself a free day to just be.
*Get out and enjoy nature.
*Have fun; be silly and laugh much.
*Sing and dance without a care.
*Enjoy the arts. It's a great way to soften the heart.
*Open your heart to love and don't be afraid to need the ones you love.
*Tell the people you love how much you care.
*Have meaningful connections with family and friends.
*Attend family gatherings and remember special celebrations.
*Love your pets and take lessons from them on how to live in the moment.
*Take in a beautiful sunrise and enjoy the sunset.
*Listen to your breath and smile knowing that breath is life.
*Stop being so serious and lighten up.
*Live just for today and enjoy life while you still can.
*Whatever you do, take the time to acknowledge life around you every day.

I'd like to leave you with these two simple yet powerful messages:

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."
                                                             ~ Robert Brault

"Man is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."
                                                             ~ Dalai Lama



Enjoy!