When I was in preschool and we were getting a bit rambunctious, our teacher would call a timeout in the air. Everyone instantly knew that they needed to return to their desks, close their eyes, calm themselves by breathing deeply and listen.
For a minute we would simply listen and remember everything that we heard. We would then take turns telling our class mates what our ears had picked up on. It was a mindful exercise I learned when I was only six utilizing only one of my senses. I still use it today, but I've expanded it to include all of them. Here's my senses experience from today.
Blistering HEAT
Furnace. Like opening an oven and feeling the heat wave hit your eyes, your brows, your lips. Licking at your face like waves of fire.
Suffocatingly humid too.
Windows and doors kept closed to keep the heat at bay, but we had just been out shopping - my niece and I made our way out of the blaze, the calefaction hanging on us as if to drag us down. Oppressive calidity.
We walked into the crisp, cool, happy inside air and felt immediately liberated.
Bags down. Drinks in hand with ice.
That first sip as it hit my tongue, the ice blocks already melting lightly bouncing on my parched lips. Satisfyingly cold liquid running down my throat, languid. Delicious. Invigorating.
I felt instantly grateful and relieved.
Shoes off. Socks off.
The soles of my feet hitting the ice cold tiles, sending tingles up my archways, my toes appreciating the sensation, I lapped up the cool and let it envelop my body as if it were growing ice tendrils up my legs and slowly reaching my core, I stood with my eyes closed. A smile developed on my face. Relaxation. Calm. Centred. At peace.
Even these simple things can feel heavenly when you spend a minute to appreciate them.
"I'm so glad we don't live in the desert Em"
"I know sweety, it's nice to be cool again isn't it?"
"Aha! Now can we open the Lego?"
Always on to the next thing. Life moves fast when you're 5. But for me, I had loved the moment and all that it brought me.