Although volumes have been written about mindfulness, one mindful practice that was introduced to me just a few years ago is the notion of “savoring.” Savoring is an effective mindfulness activity to enhance and prolong positive experiences and ground ourselves in the present. I practice this in the morning while brewing a cup of coffee: I open the bag, breathe in the rich bouquet of roasted beans, drop the beans into the grinder, listen to the whir, pour hot water over the ground coffee, watch steam rise over the mug, warm the milk and slowly blend it into the coffee. I close my eyes, feel the warmth of the cup, and deeply breathe the nutty, robust aroma. Finally, I sip the toasty beverage with a grateful heart.
As we move through our days, many small moments become opportunities to practice. We can savor the sweet scent of lavender hand soap; admire the fluttering leaves on the trees; notice the soft feel of the chair cushion. Bit by bit, we build attentiveness and mindfulness into the day. The more frequently we practice these simple pauses, the more we nourish our brains, bodies, and spirits.
—Excerpted from The Four Connections by Anne Kertz Kernion