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Shruthi Vidhya Sundaram's avatar

Today I spent time observing:

- The rays of the sun penetrating through the dense streets

- Mouthwatering streetfood and how people were eating it

- Merchants and artisans creating the most beautiful sarees and selling them…and

Much more!

Each pause. Each breathe. Filled me with something beautiful beyond words. It made me realise how small I am compared to the world, while also being a whole universe myself. What a beautiful paradox, isn't it??

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

What a lovely note. Thank you for sharing and your reflection. What a beautiful opportunity to be able to sit and observe the sun in such a way, people enjoying their food (and how I love mouthwatering streetfood), and the hustle and bustle of a market of merchants and artisans. Beautiful!

We are small in the grand scheme of things… but we are also larger than life! It is a paradox. One that we can relish. Thank you. 🩵

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SuddenlyJamie's avatar

Listening to this piece (thank you for the voiceover!), made me think about two of my favorite authors: Douglas Adams and Kurt Vonnegut. It makes me giggle just to imagine how they would write about the First Artichoke. And that thought made me think about how, for me, moments of true mindfulness are often - as your artichoke moment was - accompanied by a sense of whimsy … of a realization that life isn’t nearly as serious as we make it out to be. There is a lot of absurdity in this world, if we make even the slightest effort to notice it. And somehow, that brings me comfort.

I assume you’ve seen the Peter Seller’s movie, “On Being”? Or maybe read the book? I feel a connection to that story here as well, but haven’t got time to sort it out because I have to go put on every bit of outdoor gear I own to walk a dog in 7 degree (Fahrenheit) weather. Woo-hoo!

Again - thanks for the post and letting us hear it. 💜

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

Thank you! I am going to keep doing voiceovers. I find them to be a fun element to include, and they give people a different way of engaging with my articles. Also, I’ve been listening to more people instead of reading… realizing I also enjoy listening.

I love that you invoke Douglas Adams and Kurt Vonnegut - I would also be curious to hear their thoughts on the first artichoke.

Whimsy and mindfulness? I love that connection! I love that word for it. Whimsy, wonder, awe, delight. I think they all go together so well.

I have read the book - now that you mention it… I feel a tug, but i’m not sure the connection yet. I’ll give that some thought. Be safe in 7 degree dog walking weather. I at least have ten degrees in front of me! Thank you for listening and sharing 🩵

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Clifford Adams's avatar

I love how you found something as simple as an artichoke to spark joy and mindfulness. It’s a good reminder that we don’t need to overthink being present—it can be as easy as letting ourselves laugh at something random. Thanks for sharing this!

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

Thanks, Clifford! I truly believe most people overthink mindfulness and then the stress of overthinking zaps them right out of mindfulness. When all it has to be is laughing with the carrots about the artichokes.

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Nancy A's avatar

Thank you for this lightness, Alex. On a morning that feels incredibly heavy, it helps tremendously! I've never picked up an artichoke, only what's already been packaged for me in a jar. 😉 But I'm still smiling at your story and will be looking at other objects more closely. ☮

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

I’m glad I could provide a little lightness to a heavy morning. It was definitely heavy for me too.

If you do pick up an artichoke, don’t get poked! Not fun at all - and you won’t thank me for the suggestion 😂

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Nancy A's avatar

I've been forewarned, you're off the hook. 😉🤣

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Alex,

I giggled out loud when I was waiting in the lobby of my ENT's office about a week ago. It's because I saw a sign with a bad "dad" joke that said, "I read a book about glue. I couldn't put it down." And other than my strange guffawing, people were silent. I think a couple of them turned to look at me, but that's okay. I'm relishing this return to childlike wonder and delight, and I revel in it when it creeps up in me.

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

Haha! I mean, that is a GREAT joke. I’m relishing the return to childlike wonder and delight too. It isn’t just for children. It’s for us too! And it just feels soooooo good to get lost in delight, even for a few moments when we see a dad joke (or an artichoke).

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

YES! I agree wholeheartedly, Alex!

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Virginia Curtis's avatar

I've been feeling some inner turmoil, and today I decided I needed to get back to my mindfulness and gratitude practice. I went outdoors and soaked in the chill air and the sunshine. I felt the breeze and heard a woodpecker working on a lodgepole pine. I spent some time feeding apples to my horses and touching the velvety muzzles of my mare as she nuzzled me for more. It's the little things that become the big things. I came back in feeling far more settled and calm. Thank you for this. Love, Virg

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

There is something truly magical about going outdoors and soaking in the world. All of the little things. I’m glad you were able to take some time for yourself today. Even if you don’t always come back fully settled and calm, a regular practice will help with inner (and outer) turmoil.

You are always welcome here, and feel free to leverage any of yoga nidras - they are on the “restorative practices” tab of my publication.

Thinking of you 🩵

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Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

would it be okay if I took a moment with one of your selfies to experience a moment of delight? cuz your selfie smile is as happy inducing as a spiky artichoke (and I agree, artichokes are hilarious!)

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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

haha!!! of course!!!!

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