[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1520923081330{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;background-color: #b45f06 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Smell the Coffee” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3769″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]This mindfulness exercise is designed to open our eyes-and all of our senses-to the pleasures of everyday life. We cannot be calm if we are always rushing from one thing to the next. Appreciating the small things can create tiny pauses in the day, which helps to engender an overall sense of calm and perspective.

1. On a piece of paper, make a list of the five senses-sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing. Leave a space between each heading.
2. Take the list with you when you leave the house. Try to notice an interesting stimulus for each of the senses: The smell of a coffee shop that you walk by, the color of a front door, the texture or temperature of a handrail, the taste of your chewing them, the sound of a bird in the trees.
3. Stay where until you have noted something under each heading, and can say that all your senses have been engaged. Try to keep the sense of engagement as you continue on your journey.
4. You might like to make a point of writing down your observations in your journal. You may be surprised at how diverting the challenges, and at how fascinating it is to look through past entries.

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