Too busy, too bogged down

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.

- Dr Seuss


Why do we wait around for the 'right' time to make a difference? There will never be a right time, there will never be a perfect cause, there will never be a possibility of helping everyone we encounter in our lives. But there is the option of caring a whole lot for one person, or even a handful of people.

If every person took the time out to truly care for another on a daily basis, there would be a million more smiles and infinite amounts of good energy around the world. If you question this theory, just think about how you feel when someone shows you that they care a whole awful lot - whether it's your partner, colleague, boss, friend, sibling or even the kind shop assistant - that simple expression of mindfulness towards you is enough to change your entire mood into something bright and warm.

Now imagine you could do this for those around you and then imagine you could do that for those who can't even remember the last time they were hugged. And imagine we all started doing our little bit to care that small ounce more - to tell those we love that we love them, to smile at the person next to us, to anonomously pay for the car behind us in the parking queue, to give sandwiches to the homeless, to spoil our partners to a romantic dinner, to buy a gift for a friend in need.

It doesn't take a lot, it just takes a thought. A thought that extends beyond ourselves.

If someone like you cares that little bit more, things will get better. Of that, I'm sure.

-The World

The Gift of Insight

I am guilty of it, just as I am sure many of you are - always looking for more. As much as we achieve and succeed, we have a tendency to be greedy for more. Recently, this has been pointed out to me quite evidently - looking back at my journal entries at the beginning of the year, I have achieved everything I set out to and yet I still find myself feeling discontent and wanting more.

I have no idea what has caused it and to be very honest, I have no solution to this feeling of longing, but I do know that savouring the moment, living mindfully and embracing the present is a gift that I would love to learn (but have not yet conquered). Meditation has always been the answer when I have asked the universe how to connect with the present moment, but unfortunately I happen to have an extremely active mind and no matter how much I try to still it, its playful nature keeps my mind on its toes!

So, I set out to work out how to love life and every moment. I don't know if I have yet succeeded, but I am certainly trying. Instead of simply looking at the sun, I now try to really feel it - the warmth on my skin and the way it lights up patches on my bed, creating little pools of heat where I can lie and read my favourite book. Instead of regarding cooking as a chore, I see it as an opportunity to be creative and try out something new and exciting. And, the biggest one for me - instead of feeling like work is a waste of my precious time, I use it to learn - gaining knowledge from others and perfecting the art of something I am passionate about.

I am no expert in 'being present', but I know that if I can see through the mandatories of every day and regard them all as little pieces of insight, then life will be a lot more bearable. Heck, it might even feel fulfilling!