My Monday Morning

I had a productive morning on Monday. It felt wonderful. I had been thinking about some changes I could make to use my time more valuably .  Being a Mum, I was finding I always had just small pockets of time throughout the day. A few moments here or a half an hour there around the school routine and it felt like I wasn't fitting in some regular practices important to me.

I decided I needed to start walking regularly again and fit in ten minutes of meditation every day.  It just makes me feel so much better.  However, I was finding it hard to do it at a regular times as my daughter had different things on throughout the week, sometimes she had to be at school early, other times she had after school activities, plus life in general.  I was finding if I left it until the end of the day, mostly it wouldn't happen.  I just couldn't get into a routine. Our weeks constantly change with things like school excursions, husband away for work sometimes, you get it.  So I had to think a bit more flexibly.

I decided I needed to do the walk and meditation in the morning. There is more chance I will do it.   I thought  if I couldn't walk before she went to school, I would walk as soon as I got home from dropping her off.  I'm trying to commit to at least 3 walks a week and meditation every day. It was a great start on Monday and often just starting is the hardest part.  I'll share some of my Monday morning with you.

Walking shoes on - a good start!

I got up earlier, slipped on my walking gear, headed downstairs and started preparing lunch for my daughter.  I chatted to my husband before he went to work.   My daughter and I continued on our morning routine.  We had a delicious concoction of scrambled eggs with grated vegetables mixed through it.  We both enjoyed this nourishing breakfast.

I got my daughter off to school, popped into the shops to pick up a few groceries and got home.  Out the door for my walk I went.

Walking has always makes me feel good and it sets me up for the day.  I walked around our neighbourhood for 20 minutes, breathing in the fresh air and feeling the sun on my skin.  I love to walk and look at all the houses.  It interests me.  I might come home with an idea for our own.  Sometimes I might see their pets at the window or on the driveway.  I always say hello to fellow walkers.

My neighbourhood

But the thing I noticed the most on this particular Monday walk were the scents in the air.  Past a wattle tree I walked, I didn't see it, but that familiar smell made me breathe a bit deeper.  A few minutes later, the strong scent of a curry plant filled the air. It was planted in the front garden bed of the house I was walking past.   Again I breathed deeper to soak up that smell.  And lastly as I was on my way home, the smell of freshly cut grass wafted in the morning air.  I love that smell.  Just Breathe.

There are lots of parks around my neighbourhood

Home I went and was greeted at the window by this beautiful boy.

I came in, had big glass of water and got straight into my meditation.  I like to lie in our rumpus room, it has beautiful light in the morning.  I quietened my mind and breathed deeply.   I can't always stop the whirling thoughts very well, but if all I do is stop and breathe, it is worth it.

Next the cooking began.  I made this absolutely delicious salad.  So many components but totally worth it.  Roasted carrots with garlic, cumin, sumac and lemon juice.  I could have eaten the whole tray just like that.  Homegrown kale, stir fried with garlic and olive oil.  Roasted hazelnuts.  Brown rice and a delicious orange maple dressing.  Add some freshly chopped parsley, mix it all up and YUM.  The flavours were amazing together.

Then I baked this bread, a version of the No Knead Bread.  Raisin Bread.  The smell of that baking in the oven is to die for.   My daughter had a lovely afternoon tea waiting for her.

The clock hit twelve noon and that was my Monday morning. Productive and good for the soul. Not every day is like this in the messy chaos of life. But walking and meditating helps me to maintain some calm in the busy days.  I'll hold onto the memory of that morning, the way I felt that morning.