I wake up and the thoughts that had left me the night before, when I went to bed, quickly return to fill my mind. This happens to me, especially during times of change or challenges that bring instability and the inevitable need to flow with what is, without resistance.
Be careful, that's precisely where the ego starts to become capricious because it doesn't want to... no, it doesn't want to let go! It wants to identify with the situation, with the emotion, and leave us like a wrung-out rag...
Suddenly, something happens that allows me to step off the carousel more easily and return to the wonder of the here and now… The window of my room serves as a delicate support for the branches of an old loquat tree, where several little birds toast to life, welcoming the sun and the new day. The feeling of happiness these singing birds give me is incredible.
Those lovely little birds, with their morning joy, remind me that I am so much more than my thoughts; that I am identifying with what is happening and getting caught up in worries… pre-occupations. That situation isn't over yet… It's just a figment of my restless mind.
They remind me that life is about enjoyment, about singing, about living by filling my heart with what I have, finding its deepest meaning. They invite me to walk the path of acceptance and recognition that I already have everything I need to be and feel happy…
I get up and start getting ready; and before long, the thoughts and worries return. My tireless mind tries to solve everything. Our minds are wired for that, to solve everything. They spend countless hours "trying" to solve problems, only to suffer later from the realization of their lack of control and from having to surrender to the wisdom of life.
That wisdom leads us down paths that are sometimes unfamiliar and seem to belong to us; it opens doors we didn't know existed and that frighten us because they are strange. But in doing so, new windows of opportunity open, gifting us with more experiences. If only we knew this, we wouldn't insist so much on things going the way we think is best for us.
Life teaches us to flow. Nothing stops; if it does, it stagnates and smells bad. Like water. But the ego persists, plants its feet firmly on the ground: "No, I don't want to!"... and the energy is blocked. We get out of the river, but it's useless; well, yes, it does make us suffer for a good while. Then, inevitably, we go back to the river. And we would have saved ourselves a good dose of suffering if we had done it sooner...
So, immersed in my thoughts and trying to figure out what's going on in my life, I leave to get on my motorbike and go to work... like a robot on autopilot.
But something wonderful happens just a few meters from leaving the house: a strong smell of freshly cut grass reaches my nose and brings a smile to my face, returning me to my inner self and my true essence, to the present moment and its wonder.
I feel alive, at peace, and happy. I adore the scent of freshly cut grass… it refreshes my mind and senses. Nature always brings me back home, to the here and now.
And so, present, savoring the day, feeling my body in motion again, I arrive at work. I look at the sea and the sky: everything is alright.
«"Good morning, Massimo," my first student of the morning is waiting for me with a smile. He's gone to greet the sea. "The waves are calm," he tells me, "and there's a light breeze that has refreshed me." Life is beautiful… we begin the mindful movements…
Thich Nhat Hanh invites us to find or rediscover freshness through nature, by walking mindfully and breathing deeply. And when we encounter this freshness during the day, we breathe into it three times and continue on our way. These moments transform our day, giving us the mental clarity, compassion, and peace needed to face the day from a place of trust and love.
Simply by trusting in life, pausing and savoring what is there, we will be fascinated by the beauty that surrounds us… Try it today and tell me about your experiences upon waking.
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