“Stop and smell the roses!”: An expression and a reminder to stay present.

Why are we told to stop?

We get so caught up in our daily ambitions, chores, and climbing up the ladder towards our dreams that we forget to stop and appreciate our instant moments.

At times, we get so caught up in our daily patterns we lose sight of “stopping”.

Only a full stop can bring us right back into the present. That’s how we can dig deeper into our inner selves.

We make a conscience choice to “stop and smell” but things don’t always go as planned.

Few minutes or hours later we’re back at the grind and all those “roses” go out the window!

Sometimes, it takes something or someone to remind us of that old great feeling that lasts longer than a mere few minutes, keeping us attached to the moment while leaving us wanting more.

It’s easier said than done.

I think not.

Why is stopping so important and why do we need to connect with our inner selves more often?

We need these “uninterrupted” moments as they are reminders of what is passive in life and what is most valuable and worthy of our attention.

If we need to feel loved, appreciated, and cared for we need to give more to ourselves first.

Why?

If we don’t know what that connection would feel like, first hand, how can we even recognize it when it’s handed to us?

That’s why connecting with our inner selves daily is so crucial in feeling loved, appreciated and fulfilled.

I believe that once we pinpoint and recognize the problem, we have to replace the old actions with new ones and turn them into our lifestyle.

I’ll share some of my action steps with you here to help you in building your own list for staying connected throughout the day:

  • Starting my day with 15 minutes of meditation, 20 minutes of stretching and breathing exercises, making a green smoothie and speak to my parents
  • Smiling at strangers walking by me on the street, without the intention of wanting attention in return. As long as my head is not in my phone, I’m aware of my surroundings and feel connected.
  • Making new memories spending time with friends and family, cherishing the moments while they are happening.
  • Giving and receiving heartfelt honest compliments. Those really make my day.
  • Being mindful of letting go of stress by finding laughter in every corner.
  • Taking 15 – 30 minutes a day reading about subjects that interests me the most and has nothing to do with the needs of others.
  • No matter how busy, making time to read a book (Not just resorting to online material).
  • Watching children play. They’re all over the place! If you don’t notice them, you’re really lost!
  • Attending events and gatherings, meeting new people, and practicing my listening skills as their stories are brand new to me and they connect us even more.
  • Taking a “stay-cation” everyday by pretending I’m on vacation and walking in a new city by challenging myself to notice something new in the same street I walk through day after day.

Let’s not interrupt these moments with everyday chores and responsibilities.

Let’s not look at them as in-between “fillers” for here and there.

Let’s give them the credit they deserve for putting smiles on our faces, relieving the stress from our precious lives, and connecting us with ourselves and others, saying: “Live your NOW”.

Love you first.

You deserve all of it.

Once you read the blogs and the newsletters please leave your comments and questions in the comment boxes under the blogs. I will be reading and responding to every single one of them personally. Remember, your questions and comments will help others as you never know who else is reading them and can benefit from your words. Thank you for being part of the progress.