Three weeks into L.E.N.T and this week we’re looking at the letter N for NOTICE. Time can often pass us by and we haven’t noticed all the beauty and creativity that each day can hold. The sounds, the colours, the tastes and the people. Our senses are our way to connect with the world around us but sometimes our senses can be dulled as we’re often stuck inside our heads, being tormented by a stream of negative internal narratives. It’s time to get out of our heads and into the expansiveness of the world around us and notice.

Although it could be said, with all the suffering in the world how can we notice the good? As a therapeutic life coach I have often been astounded at the level of resilience people have had considering the challenges that they have faced, not to mention the global stories. How are we supposed to be happy when we live in a world where children and innocent people are being oppressed, tortured, abused and killed? It’s a bit of an ask isn’t it? Live your life and be happy etc. yet carry the knowledge of all the worlds suffering in your head and don’t be negatively effected by it!! We can’t help but notice these things also, and how can we not be impacted mentally and emotionally by them? We have a lot to process don’t we?

But that can’t be the end of our story can it? We have to have a response. We have to do something to support our wellbeing so that we can be better present for ourselves and others. As we practice mindfulness daily by deciding to intentionally notice the beauty of creation throughout the day we will be working a very important wellbeing muscle that will strengthen our inner ability to discover the expansiveness within. Not noticing the outside world and all its beauty, creativity & artistry shrinks our inner world. When we notice the expansiveness of the external this then reflects within and our inner life will feel enriched and we will become less stuck & trapped within our often limited life experiences. Otherwise, without intending to be, we can become quite self absorbed and not notice the beauty and the pain of those around us. It’s a paradox! We often have to sit with the contradictions of two opposites in one space and be at a place of acceptance.

If we’re to have a healthy response to the suffering in the world then we also need to take time for contemplation. To distance ourselves from the world slightly so that we can be rooted, centred and grounded, yet still remain quite close to the world with love, and allow ourselves to feel it’s pain and joy. So take some time this week to notice! Notice what you think and what you feel and get out of your head intentionally and look for what is interesting and beautiful around you. Remember ~ you get out of life what you put into it, so if you don’t put anything in then you’re unlikely to get much out! Notice everything around you throughout the day. Determine to notice at least FIVE things that you can be grateful for. Gratitude helps you to notice what you have rather than what you haven’t and is a key to enhancing your wellbeing.

Have a good week my friends and I’ll see you soon,

Love & blessings, Samantha