Looking out of the window...

by Petra Elsmore 

When I looked out of the window this morning, I was slightly disappointed, grey, cold, rainy day, not as bright and sunny as yesterday. What went through my mind was that the kids won't be able to play out as normal and we'd be stuck most of the day inside. The rain eased a bit through the day but still it did not get me thinking this was  a great day for us. 

However my 3 years old son had a different idea. He was adamant to get out. He can't talk, but he can, in his gentle way, show what he really wants. He kept taking us to the back door again and again, until we gave in and took him out. For him just the simple fact of being in the garden brings the joy and happiness whether it's sunny or whether it rains. What makes him happy is just being outside, in the fresh air, being able to run around, simple as that. No preconceived ideas about what is perfect or preferable. 

I looked out of the door into our garden,  the tree was monumental as ever, the colour of the leaves freshly green as you get only in the late spring, all beautiful, refreshing, still in the air full of rain. It takes only moment to focus on what is, rather than what we would hope for. Being taken into the reality of the lovely fresh afternoon by the gentle lead of my small son was a transforming experience for me. What are your thoughts when you first look out of your window in the morning? and how do these thoughts affect the rest of your day?

Mindfulness helps us to come back to the present moment without judgement or preconceived ideas. We are more likely to enjoy the day as it enfolds and experience joy, or surprise or just simply see things as they are... Petra has a new website www.mindfullyhappy.com and will be blogging there regularly in the coming weeks.