Everyone in our household, including the cats, loves our bathroom. It’s a true rest room. A room to rest.
Soaking in an aromatic bubble bath made from natural ingredients (good old Neals Yard), candle on, mantra playing in the background. I decide to write, so I can also soak in my experience of this moment.
Jeff Foster (the renouned mindfulness teacher) touched my heart recently with the wisdom that if I’m not present to my life, exactly as it is, right now, then that present trickles down the drain like wasted gold. Every moment, every experience of this one wild and precious life is worth living fully. Even grief. Even fear. Even anger.
It cut to the bone when he said the times we need ourselves the most, our own full awareness, care and attention, it’s often in these times when we abandon ourselves, seeking distraction and cheap ease. Ease that never truly satisfies.
Can I just feel the warmth of the water, the feeling of my breath, the smells of a cake I’m baking in the oven. All of these moments are mine to drink in as deeply as I choose to, and I choose to.
I just padded, wet footed, to the kitchen to take the cake out of the oven and this was the sky I walked past. Blazing and beautiful.
The cake smells amazing by the way. It’s gluten free, dairy free, additive and refined sugar free. It’s from a book called ‘My New Roots’ and I’m obsessed with the recipes. It’s written by a nutritionist and it’s total comfort. You really wouldn’t know the recipes were healthy versions.
Here’s the cookbook photo of the cake I’m constructing. It’s my first ever bundt cake, flavoured with lemon, vanilla and cardamon, covered in a hemp white chocolate. Oh my god. Heaven!
For lunch I created a spicy, creamy noodle soup, inspired by the Instagram chef Alfie cooks. Here he is, licking his lips 😂 I understood why when I tried it 👌💋😋😋😋
Slow living has really captured my heart. Having days where I cook meals without rushing or taking short cuts. Savouring every mouthful. Watching the sky change. Feeling my cats fur as they sit on my knee, not trying to rush to the next moment.
I have days where I have to rush at times, but rushing became a bad habit. I became addicted to forward momentum. I got tired. Tired to my bones and being. I was seeking more of everything and not letting what I had truly satisfy me. In short, I just needed to slow down.
A virus did just that. Knocked me off my feet. Made me completely stop. One day it even hurt to open my eyes. I realised that I needed to spend more time simply being present, not necessarily getting anywhere or doing anything. The feeling of rest started to works it’s magic and a feeling of contented roots started to form. It felt like I was investing in being with me. I’m hooked. I want more.
Imagine how much longer and more juicy your life would feel if you were really there with and for yourself in every single moment. Never abandoning yourself.
Yoga calls that constant presence of awareness your true nature. If you’ve ever touched upon it, it’s like winning the lottery. You no longer need a mansion, you are one, inside, and filled with love.
Right.. This bath is getting cold and I’ve a cake to eat, so until the next time, toodle pip and go gently xxx
Intu-Yoga 