OK, now you've convinced me that I really want to visit Ogden--and before you wrote this piece, I never knew it existed before, Alex! You did a fantastic job of bringing me in to the local culture, food, and art. Lovely.
What I love is how you opened this essay, too. In fact, I smiled, because while I journaled this morning, I used the prompt, "Now I understand..." And everything that flowed after that was about how I am learning that I don't need to travel to exotic places in order to find the seeds of invitation all around me. The truth is, being fully human and fully alive means that I am grounded and open to what is unfolding right now, right in front of me, and when I practice this well, I am always astounded at what inspires me.
Yesterday it was my daily trek around the neighborhood with Daisy Dog. I heard a Great Horned Owl! Couldn't believe it, but the unmistakable hoo hoo-hoo hoo sounded four times as we made our way around the street. And then I spotted a red-tailed hawk soaring in the open skies above us. I love the juxtaposition of a bird of prey gliding against a perfectly clear blue sky on a sunny day. There is something incredibly liberating about that sight.
And I didn't even have to leave my neighborhood to witness these.
Thank you for this reflection and sharing, Jeannie! I'm so glad that you could get a little taste for Ogden! I think the surrounding area is just fun, and I'm big with outdoors, and it is close to so much camping and hiking (which is honestly why I stay in Utah).
This line stood out to me:
"The truth is, being fully human and fully alive means that I am grounded and open to what is unfolding right now, right in front of me, and when I practice this well, I am always astounded at what inspires me."
I think this is truly the essence of presence.
We are all so alive, yet we forget it. We become distracted from it. We miss it, and it is easy to do. But when we become immersed in our presence, in our moment, we change. We become open to the world as it is. The world is ALWAYS alive. It just takes us to become aware of it again.
The world is alive everywhere. And presence unlocks this. I hope we all can find just a little more. 🩵
“The world is always alive.” I am tucking this phrase from you today in my heart and my awareness. It’s incredible how much awakens inside me when I am attuned to this truth. Thank you, Alex.
I felt like I was seeing your world through your eyes as I read this. Thank you.
and btw - your use of the downward D energy in the line "your mind is spinning with deadlines, decisions, and dreams deferred," is absolutely brilliant. You make me feel how easy it is to get downed after a moment of uplifting presence...and that forced me to rebound myself back to the paragraph about eating the citrus bombed chocolate caramel! (I want one of those!)
Thank you, TeriLeigh! I wanted people to see the world through my eyes.
And I loved the line! I worked on it for way longer than I should have, but I thought it was so fun and really conveyed my point. It was a blood orange chocolate caramel, and it was DELICIOUS!
What a simple yet profound experience. I learned to do walking meditations which can also bring these types of eye-opening experiences to the usually mundane aspects of life. To put yourself in a state of observance, there is no end to what you might discover. I'm in a rural area where seasons visibly change, wildlife visits and birdsongs ebb and flow with migratory sureness. Simply feeling the air can bring you into your body and center your thoughts. What a wonderful trek through your city! Thank you. Love , Virg
I love walking meditations for that exact reason. Plus, there is nothing like walking that just get’s your brain ready to move through something! No more being stuck :)
Living in your area sounds like a dream. I’m right by the mountains, so I get to enjoy each season too (just a little more effort involved!).
Thank you for sharing, Teyani! I love art. I think it is because it can mean so many things, to so many people, and so we can each take what we need from each piece. While the artist had their expression, what is expressed to us can touch is in whatever way we need. It is just such a beautiful experience!
Have any of us mastered the art of being present? As a long-time meditator, I've come to appreciate how much it would take to master mindfulness. It is possible but a rare accomplishment in our times.
Your experiment in real-time presence is a perfect way to expand our mindfulness. Thank you, Alexander, for taking us on this walking adventure through your town. It's been a lovely time!
It is certainly possible, but I agree - a rare accomplishment. I will settle for being an accomplished meditator :)
I wanted to write this article to share a different pathway toward presence and mindfulness, so that people know you don’t have to always sit on cushions or focus on the breath to still reach presence. There are so many pathways available!
This was such an amazing journey, Alex! I feel like I know Ogden (or at least 5 blocks) and want to explore the rest. Thank you for the nudge to slow down and be present in the everyday, the moments that we think are going to be familiar, and in the spaces where wonders are waiting to be discovered. 💚
I’m so glad you could come along for a quick jaunt around Ogden with me, Lori! 🩵
I wanted to write this article to give people another avenue for presence and mindfulness - it isn’t just meditation cushions and breathing. It can be adventure and wonder!
You shared a great practice, Alex! It’s so helpful to have multiple options for practice There are times when my anxiety is high or I’m feeling overwhelmed, and I need to start with something that’s more active and rooted in my daily life before I can get on the cushion.
You’re inspiring me to write about something similar…maybe a spring nature walk? I’m going to take one of those anyway, so we shall see if that translates to the page. 🌱
I think I might set up a quarterly tradition to do this! I forget about doing it until I’m super stressed out. Maybe if I do it sooner, I won’t get so stressed. Haha!
What a beautiful experience. Also to me, there’s something about an ADHD brain (and I guess everyone’s) that calms when we’re able to walk the streets and move and think at random and learn and wander and witness.
Thank you, Cole! I so appreciate you sharing. I think everyones brain, yes, but especially the ADHD brain that is calmed when we walk. Movement helps so much. And then intentional adventure and exploration? The ability to be lost in the moment? So fun! “Wander and witness.” Love. 🩵
OK, now you've convinced me that I really want to visit Ogden--and before you wrote this piece, I never knew it existed before, Alex! You did a fantastic job of bringing me in to the local culture, food, and art. Lovely.
What I love is how you opened this essay, too. In fact, I smiled, because while I journaled this morning, I used the prompt, "Now I understand..." And everything that flowed after that was about how I am learning that I don't need to travel to exotic places in order to find the seeds of invitation all around me. The truth is, being fully human and fully alive means that I am grounded and open to what is unfolding right now, right in front of me, and when I practice this well, I am always astounded at what inspires me.
Yesterday it was my daily trek around the neighborhood with Daisy Dog. I heard a Great Horned Owl! Couldn't believe it, but the unmistakable hoo hoo-hoo hoo sounded four times as we made our way around the street. And then I spotted a red-tailed hawk soaring in the open skies above us. I love the juxtaposition of a bird of prey gliding against a perfectly clear blue sky on a sunny day. There is something incredibly liberating about that sight.
And I didn't even have to leave my neighborhood to witness these.
Thank you for this reflection and sharing, Jeannie! I'm so glad that you could get a little taste for Ogden! I think the surrounding area is just fun, and I'm big with outdoors, and it is close to so much camping and hiking (which is honestly why I stay in Utah).
This line stood out to me:
"The truth is, being fully human and fully alive means that I am grounded and open to what is unfolding right now, right in front of me, and when I practice this well, I am always astounded at what inspires me."
I think this is truly the essence of presence.
We are all so alive, yet we forget it. We become distracted from it. We miss it, and it is easy to do. But when we become immersed in our presence, in our moment, we change. We become open to the world as it is. The world is ALWAYS alive. It just takes us to become aware of it again.
The world is alive everywhere. And presence unlocks this. I hope we all can find just a little more. 🩵
“The world is always alive.” I am tucking this phrase from you today in my heart and my awareness. It’s incredible how much awakens inside me when I am attuned to this truth. Thank you, Alex.
I felt like I was seeing your world through your eyes as I read this. Thank you.
and btw - your use of the downward D energy in the line "your mind is spinning with deadlines, decisions, and dreams deferred," is absolutely brilliant. You make me feel how easy it is to get downed after a moment of uplifting presence...and that forced me to rebound myself back to the paragraph about eating the citrus bombed chocolate caramel! (I want one of those!)
Thank you, TeriLeigh! I wanted people to see the world through my eyes.
And I loved the line! I worked on it for way longer than I should have, but I thought it was so fun and really conveyed my point. It was a blood orange chocolate caramel, and it was DELICIOUS!
Dammit TeriLeigh, I was going to comment on that line also;). You're a gem Alex and so glad we've connected on here.
Same, Michael! It is a real treat 🩵
What a simple yet profound experience. I learned to do walking meditations which can also bring these types of eye-opening experiences to the usually mundane aspects of life. To put yourself in a state of observance, there is no end to what you might discover. I'm in a rural area where seasons visibly change, wildlife visits and birdsongs ebb and flow with migratory sureness. Simply feeling the air can bring you into your body and center your thoughts. What a wonderful trek through your city! Thank you. Love , Virg
I love walking meditations for that exact reason. Plus, there is nothing like walking that just get’s your brain ready to move through something! No more being stuck :)
Living in your area sounds like a dream. I’m right by the mountains, so I get to enjoy each season too (just a little more effort involved!).
Thank you for joining me on this trek 🩵
Wonderful to stroll along with you Alexander.
This line stood out to me the most :
“each time I stop by, I'm reminded of just how unexpectedly healing art can be…”
I too know the healing power of art, and beauty and fill my heart with it as often as I’m able.
Thank you for sharing, Teyani! I love art. I think it is because it can mean so many things, to so many people, and so we can each take what we need from each piece. While the artist had their expression, what is expressed to us can touch is in whatever way we need. It is just such a beautiful experience!
Have any of us mastered the art of being present? As a long-time meditator, I've come to appreciate how much it would take to master mindfulness. It is possible but a rare accomplishment in our times.
Your experiment in real-time presence is a perfect way to expand our mindfulness. Thank you, Alexander, for taking us on this walking adventure through your town. It's been a lovely time!
It is certainly possible, but I agree - a rare accomplishment. I will settle for being an accomplished meditator :)
I wanted to write this article to share a different pathway toward presence and mindfulness, so that people know you don’t have to always sit on cushions or focus on the breath to still reach presence. There are so many pathways available!
I can visualize with every sentence you write. I feel like I’m walking beside you on this small adventure of discovery. Thank you, Alex. ❤️🌼
Thank you for coming on this little journey with me, Kathy. You are always welcome along 🩵
This was such an amazing journey, Alex! I feel like I know Ogden (or at least 5 blocks) and want to explore the rest. Thank you for the nudge to slow down and be present in the everyday, the moments that we think are going to be familiar, and in the spaces where wonders are waiting to be discovered. 💚
I’m so glad you could come along for a quick jaunt around Ogden with me, Lori! 🩵
I wanted to write this article to give people another avenue for presence and mindfulness - it isn’t just meditation cushions and breathing. It can be adventure and wonder!
You shared a great practice, Alex! It’s so helpful to have multiple options for practice There are times when my anxiety is high or I’m feeling overwhelmed, and I need to start with something that’s more active and rooted in my daily life before I can get on the cushion.
You’re inspiring me to write about something similar…maybe a spring nature walk? I’m going to take one of those anyway, so we shall see if that translates to the page. 🌱
I love how stepping out of our four walls can lead to a magical adventure in recentering. Great storytelling!
Yes! It was magical, adventurous, and exactly what I needed to ground myself after a lot of stress. Thank you, Eddie 🩵
A wonderful reminder! I occasionally have done this in my small local towns, but not often enough. Thanks, Alex.
I think I might set up a quarterly tradition to do this! I forget about doing it until I’m super stressed out. Maybe if I do it sooner, I won’t get so stressed. Haha!
What a beautiful experience. Also to me, there’s something about an ADHD brain (and I guess everyone’s) that calms when we’re able to walk the streets and move and think at random and learn and wander and witness.
Thank you, Cole! I so appreciate you sharing. I think everyones brain, yes, but especially the ADHD brain that is calmed when we walk. Movement helps so much. And then intentional adventure and exploration? The ability to be lost in the moment? So fun! “Wander and witness.” Love. 🩵
Totally ❤️