"Waking up"

Imagine you slowly wake up on a lilo just off the beach. The first things you notice, even before you open your eyes, are the sound of the waves, the rocking motion of the water, the gulls above, the warmth of the sun on your skin, the feel of the inflatable on your back. You use all these sounds to orient yourself and work out where you are. Even before you open your eyes. And when you do open your eyes you continue to notice everything for the purposes of knowing where you are. You notice bright daylight, clouds, the flight of the birds. In a second you know. I am floating on a lilo off the beach. I must have fallen asleep. But for a while after everything feels new and magical. Because before you woke up there was none of this. None of these sounds, or sights, or feelings or sensations. It’s like you discover them all again for the first time.

Waking up is magical because you go from zero to 100% perceptive awareness. It’s like being born again every time you awake.

If you want to feel a sense of awe and wonder, try waking up. You don’t need to be asleep to wake up. Turn your attention to everything you hear and see and feel. Where are you? What is happening? A lot I bet. Try narrating everything you experience by saying it in your head.

I am in a room. I hear cars passing outside. I feel I am comfortable. I am laying on a bed. The sounds of the passing traffic are peaceful. I feel relaxed. I can see the ceiling of a room. My eyes are tired. I close them. I am resting. I am at peace. I am aware of my contentedness. I am alert. So much is happening in every moment. I can notice it. I am in awe of being able to experience each present moment.

Sometimes we spend too much time in our own heads. Worrying about yesterday or tomorrow. Try waking up and coming back to your senses. Everything is happening now and you don’t want to miss it.