MINDFULNESS MONDAY
This week we are going back to a simpler mindfulness activity with eating an orange.
A suggestion for the week: Mindful eating with oranges.
· As you begin this activity, eliminate all distractions and focus your awareness on this experience.
· Hold the orange on your hand and examine it- look at it like you have never seen an orange before- look at the color of the rind, feel the texture, notice how the skin is filled with tiny pinpricks and note how it feels against your fingertips.
· Hold the orange up to your nose and smell the aroma, hold it to your ear and shake it to see if it makes a sound, if you squeeze it does it make a sound from inside?
· Begin to peel the orange- notice as the aroma grows stronger, if it drips- feel it with your fingertips- is it warm, cold, sticky, watery?
· Once it is peeled look at it again. See the differences from the skin to the inside of the orange. Look at the white fiber layer and its veining. Notice the divot where the stem was. Now break open the orange. What sound does it make? Examine the individual wedges and notice the smooth sides contrasting to the fibrous outer edge. Notice the spray of juice as you pull the wedges apart, take in the small pulps that are filled with juice.
· Slowly bring the slice to your mouth and notice how your mouth begins to water in anticipation. Place the orange slice on your tongue without biting- explore the feeling of it in your mouth. Now bite down and notice the taste, slowly begin chewing and notice how the texture and consistency changes over time.
· When you are ready to swallow, be conscious of the act of swallowing. Try to feel the sensations of it moving down your throat.
Eating is a wonderful exercise in mindfulness- take your time and enjoy eating as an experience giving it all of you attention as you did in this exercise. You will be surprised at what you notice, through your senses, when you really take the time.
Enjoy your week!