Today is National Coffee Day — one of my favorite (nonofficial) holidays. If you’ve watched any of my videos, then you know I drink tea in them (Love Tea or Madam Butterfly Green Tea … my favorites). However, what you may not know is that I love coffee. I’ve been drinking it since I was a 2-year-old sitting in my high chair, dunking cookies in my Pa-Paw’s coffee while he taught me scriptures.
Now, you may be asking, “What does drinking coffee have to do with finding beauty in each moment?” Read on, and I’ll explain …
Stop and admire the flowers
I was taking a walk in my neighborhood one day this summer. I purposefully went without my phone so that I could focus on nature. What astonished and embarrassed me was that I realized on that walk that I have beautiful magnolia trees all over my neighborhood. I absolutely love these trees and the beautiful, fragrant flowers they produce. I’ve been a fan of them for decades.
What embarrassed and astonished me so much about this realization is that I’ve lived in the same neighborhood for four years, and this is the first time I’ve noticed them. I’m always talking to the big trees that surround my townhouse, but I couldn’t believe that I’ve been on autopilot for years and never noticed something that brings me so much joy.
While I was earning my psychology degree, I was encouraged multiple times to try mindfulness training. I’ll be honest … I was resistant. Living in the moment wasn’t a safe place for me during much of my life. So, I spent my time dreaming of how I wanted my life to be instead of paying attention to how it was. This isn’t a bad thing, actually. Scientific studies show that daydreaming is beneficial to the brain. It is also a vital part of manifesting. However, we have to balance that with being in the present moment.
Mindfulness is simply a practice of becoming aware of the here and now. What this practice does is helps quiet your thoughts, but more importantly, it brings you into today — this moment, the here and now which is all we really have. Mindfulness brings us into awareness and can program the brain to remember good things that are happening right now.
“I encourage you to begin a practice of being more mindful,” said Dr. Wayne Dyer in his 2014 PBS special. “This is, in fact, what I did to end my lifetime habit of being forgetful, particularly when it came to where I placed my car keys. These days when I swim, I experience my arms moving, my legs kicking, my shoulders stretching, the feel and taste of the salt water, my fingers cupped and moving the water, my breathing, my heart rate … all of it. Practicing mindfulness has taught me how to be in the moment and find myself as well as my keys.”
Sometimes in life, we push ourselves to do what is necessary to fulfill our commitments or just survive, and we completely rob ourselves of the beauty and joy in each moment. It’s often said that all we have is the present moment — it’s called the present because it is our gift. However, we are all probably guilty of missing that gift altogether because we’re so focused on doing what has to be done to get through life.
Wake up and smell the coffee
National Coffee Day (Sept. 29) and International Coffee Day (Oct. 1) are good reminders that we need to take time out to enjoy the moment and celebrate the little things. I drink coffee every morning. That’s usually my time to wake up, crown up and practice gratitude. I say every morning while enjoying my coffee, “I am crowned with favor. Favor surrounds me like a shield. Favor chases me down and overtakes me. I am blessed going in and blessed coming out. I am blessed in the city and blessed in the field. Everything I put my hand to succeeds. Goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life.” I make myself pay attention to the taste and warmth of my coffee as I give thanks for it and all the blessings in my life and those blessings that I’m waiting on to come.
Drinking coffee also reminds me of my grandfather and happy times I’ve had with friends and loved ones in the past. I remember those times and people and feel those happy feelings and send love and gratitude to those people I’ve shared those times with. This is how you live in the moment — by being fully present, noticing all the details, feeling all the feelings and showing gratitude for everything … including the challenges and hard times.
There was a time many years ago when I was nervous about seeing an old boyfriend. A trusted person in my life suggested that I practice mindfulness during our coffee date. He told me to pay close attention to the sounds, smells and visual details of my surroundings. I did just want he suggested and ended up smiling the entire time. Even though it was one of the last times I saw this person, I will always remember the wonderful memory I have of that day because I was fully in the moment and experienced everything. That experience taught me to do this more often — even during difficult times. I’ve learned to immensely enjoy things I previously avoided like group exercise classes by practicing mindfulness. This coffee date was just the practice run to many new experiences that have truly been a gift.
So, on this day — and every day — I would encourage you to stop and smell the coffee … and roses and anything else in your environment. Pay close attention to the details, and take a mental snapshot of the moment so that you can go back and relive that beautiful gift any time you’re feeling less than happy.
Do you have a question about life that you want Senée to answer? Leave it in the comments or email it to PrincessGuide@BecomingPublishing.com.
Senée Seale is a book author, mental health professional and life guide passionate about helping people create positive changes in their lives. Are you ready to start attracting positive things into your life through practicing daily affirmations? Get your free copy of The Princes Guide to Gratitude Affirmations. If you’d like to book a personal session with Senée, she’s accepting new clients.
