Take a Mindful Moment

Leisure
W.H. Davies (1911)

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?-

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows:

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Poem © Out of copyright

I've just had a wonderful holiday on the Northumberland coast where I enjoyed many Mindful moments. Being accompanied by a husband on crutches, I was forced to slow down a little, but as a result was able to 'stand and stare' to marvel at the profusion of wildflowers, to watch diving Arctic terns and observe the ever-changing patterns and colours of the sea, sand and sky. 

There are so many lovely, unspoilt beaches on the Northumberland coast. Why not click on the short video above and enjoy a Mindful moment overlooking the beach at Seahouses. (It was quite breezy!)

This week the BBC Radio 4 'Today' programme is calling for people to talk about their favourite beach. Click here to find out more (listen at 2 hours 54 minutes). 

Writing prompt:

• Are you too 'full of care' at the moment? Make a list of all the things that are troubling you, then choose just one of them to write about in more detail. Set a timer for six minutes.
• Take a few moments to 'stand and stare'. Go for a walk, or into the garden perhaps and pause for a while. Take a notebook and pencil with you and begin to write. Focus on what you can see, hear, smell, touch and taste ( if anything). If you can't get outside, maybe look at a favourite houseplant, picture or ornament and write.