19 Oct 2015

the mindful day - windowsill vignette


At dusk I light a candle and hold off turning on the fluorescent light.  In a small corner of my kitchen I watch the flame dance for a moment and survey the backyard; the sky is softening as it begins to give way to dark. Next to the sink a still life of this and that has grown - ephemera from my babies wanderings, wisps of nature, scents, colour, growth...

Behind it, the windows are grimy and flecked with water spots from the many times that little hands are washed here. The compost bucket beneath the sink is starting to smell and there's a pile of dishes waiting, waiting. I see these mundane things and more. I notice them and without judgement I let the thought go. For now, I'm choosing to bathe in the beauty - the first pale pink hydrangea flowers plucked by chubby hands and retrieved before they were gobbled up, smooth leaves and shells in shades of blush and cream, coriander flowers, the greying sky outside and the butcher bird who visits for tit bits come dinner time. From this same window  I've watched sprinkler play and subsequent mud fights, a little boy squint his eyes to the sky at every passing plane.  I've seen the wattle blossoms replaced by grevillea and soon, jacaranda. A seasonal slide show.

I take three deep breaths, notice the tension in my shoulders and pause for a tiny moment. Soon I'll be sauteing onion and garlic with a babbling baby on my hip. Weary bodies will resort to bickering and calm voices will take extra effort. And like any other evening the night time rhythm will unfold and I'll be swept along with the business of it all swaying from task to task seemingly on autopilot.  But here, at this windowsill I'll be mindful of my body, my breath, my home.

So amidst the baskets of washing, the endless meal preparations and clean ups this week, perhaps you could find a little slice of quiet on your windowsill. Find a new home for the bottle of dish washing liquid and replace it with a vase of eucalyptus blossoms, or perhaps a little pot of thyme. An essential oil burner or a candle, a seed pod or a shell; a windowsill vignette to help you slow for a few moments each day, take a few breaths and create a more mindful home.

Steph x

5 comments:

  1. Thank you for that beautiful reminder to let go and be. And for sharing the not-as-we-would-like-it-to-be behind the scene parts as well.
    cheers Kate

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    1. You're most welcome Kate. It's the little things we can do in the everyday that really ground us in the now. Hope your week is lovely xx

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  2. Lovely post. The everyday sure is beautiful...I think you captured the contrast between the mundane and sweetness that could easily be missed.

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    1. Thank-you for your kind words lovely soul. It's so easy to get bogged down in the mundane. Having little pockets of my home and little rituals in my day is helping to focus on the beautiful stuff. Hope your week is a lovely one xxx

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  3. Such a vivid picture you paint of your afternoon. I can relate on so many levels. Thank you for the reminder to just breathe and to be grateful for those every day moments, ones I cherish. xx

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Your words brighten my day! Thank-you so much for joining me on my adventure. x