To me, awareness is a state of conscious noticing, being fully in the moment. When we are fully aware, we ignite body, mind and spirit.
Last weekend, an unexpected hike in the Cascade mountains reminded me of what it’s like to be fully aware and present. My husband, Jim, and I joined our son, Kyle, and his girlfriend, Kim, for what was supposed to be an easy 2 mile hike to a waterfall. It was a sunny, clear day in the mid-60′s, and we were expecting a dry or damp trail.
However, when we turned off of the highway and onto the access road to get to the trail-head, the road was closed due to large amounts of snow! We would now have an extra mile to hike in and we’d be walking on snow —- about 4 feet of snow!! Did I mention we had all dressed in shorts and low-top trail shoes?? We decided to check it out, knowing we could always turn back.
We could see the footprints of those who had traveled the path in days past. We began walking, or should I say slip-slide walking! It was like walking through slippery, loose sand. We soon found that if we stepped even slightly outside of the very narrow path, we were knee deep in snow (very cold snow!). Talk about increasing your desire for awareness!
The forest and the river we hiked along were stunningly beautiful. Although, we had to take breaks to stop and actually take in the views, because when walking, we had to pay full attention to every step.
I felt myself really feeling my connection to the earth and noticing how all of my muscles were ready to compensate at a moment’s notice.
We crossed several foot-bridges where we were walking on 4 to 5 feet of snow (well above the hand rails). Every step counted. If you weren’t paying full attention, you could easily fall from the narrow strip of snow. Fortunately, Kyle, the most experienced of us all, guided us through the difficult or tricky places.
As we climbed higher and higher along the edge of the river gorge, we realized how easy it could be to take a miss-step and tumble down the incline. I don’t even recall the last time I was this focused, aware and intent.
We made it to the waterfall, and then headed back. We realized that if we jogged lightly on the snow we could travel faster with less slippage, so on the way back, we alternated our slip-step-slide walking with jogging. It took us 3 hours round trip, and the sun was starting to go down. The temperature had dropped 15 degrees since we left. In our shorts, we became ultra aware of the cold and the need to get back to the car.
The trip was exhausting, but amazing and beautiful. The four of us were the only ones on the trail that day, and it felt sacred, protected, and mystical. I felt totally alive — body, mind and spirit!
When I got back home, I was realizing how much I relished this fully aware, fully alive experience. I started thinking about experiences in my daily life that present an opportunity to feel this way. I decided to create a list — a list I can add to!
Here is a portion of my list:
- Remembrance meditation
- Cooking a wholesome meal for loved ones
- Spending time with my family and my dearest friends
- Dancing at a NIA class
- Teaching one of my women’s spiritual classes
- Planting flowers in my garden
- Walking and hiking in nature
- Reading a book with a child
- African drumming with a friend or in a group
I encourage you to take a moment to think about the times or moments when you have felt fully aware, present and alive. What does your list look like? Is there something that you can do every day to have that experience of being fully aware and fully present?It doesn’t matter what the choice or activity is, it only matter that it gives you that feeling of having a rich, aware experience.
I would love for you to share your experiences here!