Author: Alexandra

Today’s reminder from the Mindful March initiative is:

‘Eat mindfully. Appreciate the taste, texture, and smell of your food.’

I think I have always eaten mindfully ever since, as a child, I discovered food doesn’t all taste the same, or is served mashed in a small blue cup. When I upgraded to solids I think I went nuts over wanting to taste everything. How carrots were crunchy, but tasted different to apples, and how jelly was soft and squishy in the mouth, but in a different way to soft boiled eggs.

From that point on, I don’t think I’ve ever stopped being both inquisitive, but also made sure every bite was fun and enjoyable. From taste, to texture, to smell, to that hard to pin down umami feel in the mouth.

I’m definitely not someone who eats to live, but who loves to eat for the sheer pleasure food can bring. Despite my name, I don’t wolf my food down but, rather, as my father taught me, I take my time to eat slowly and savour every bite and mouthful.

To me, food is a gift and, as such, it should be savoured not devoured. 

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Today’s reminder from the Mindful March initiative is:

‘Take three calm breaths at regular intervals during your day.’

Taking three deep breaths is always good advice when you feel like you’re about to say something you might regret, or maybe do something that you really shouldn’t, like sneak that extra Twinkie an hour before bedtime. 

Whether to calm your thoughts or calm your anxieties, remember, it’s good to stop, take a moment, and breath. In other words, take a second or two to think before you act, say, or do something untoward. 

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Today’s reminder from the Mindful March initiative is:

‘If you find yourself rushing, make an effort to slow down.’

There is no chance of me rushing anywhere anytime soon, ever! Let me assure you, my rushing to do something, or to go somewhere are well and truly behind me. My problem is more likely to be the need to move a little faster, or act a little quicker, rather than worry about slowing down. 

I’m of an age (and sad to say, infirmity) that there’s nothing in life, not even the possibility of missing the bus, that will make me move any faster, or motivate myself to be any quicker. 

I have arrived … 

Arrived at that point in my life where I want to meander, take things slowly, smell the flowers, watch the clouds drift slowly across the sky, listen to the birds chirruping in the hedgerow, or simply sit somewhere on a bench and enjoy the sun shining on my face.

As I said, I have arrived and this is one mindful initiative I have no problems with now or, I imagine, in the future. Time is precious to me and I want to enjoy every damn second of it while I can.

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Today’s prompt asks us to:

‘Bring to mind people you care about and send love to them.’

There are only a handful of people I care about at the moment, and all of them know what they mean to me, knowing what I’ve been through. They were all there, supporting me when I needed them the most. So yeah, I let them know almost daily what they mean to me. 

My sister and mother in law but especially, my partner. Twenty eight years and counting, through ups and down, and several health scares, we’re as close now as we’ve ever been. 

So, Sweetie, just in case you didn’t already know, here’s me letting the whole world know, I love you. ❦