What I love most about kids is their sense of wonderment about the world. They have this exuberance about life and everything and everyone in it. You’ve heard the phrase, “live today like it’s your last day” but I say, “live today like it’s your first day.”
What do I mean by that? I mean see everything with fresh eyes, with curiosity, with wonderment. Walk out your door today, look around like you are seeing things with a feeling of wonderment, curiosity, and exuberance. When we can live like that, everything and everyone we come across energizes us.
We can see things for the very first time.
When you see things as if they are different, your brain gets a “refresh” because new neural pathways begin to take shape, which releases dopamine into your system (the pleasure hormone). You feel more alive and connected to the world and the people around you. Your nervous system settles, and joy and aliveness can be felt in your heart space and throughout your body.
Fresh eyes are also part of orienting—the practice of settling the social part of our nervous system. Nature is a great way to orient because it’s always present and neutral. Walk outside and bring a piece of nature close to you—something small like a flower, leaf, or bark on a tree. Take this beauty in, using as many of your five senses as possible. Get curious about it, like a child would. Slow yourself down—just like little kids do.
Try it and see—go out your door today, slow yourself way down, and see someone or something up close, with fresh eyes. You can also watch my demo or listen to my guided mediation on orienting to try seeing things with fresh eyes (and ears and nose and so on!). Let me know how it goes in the comments section of my YouTube channel! I love feedback—it helps me to know what is helping you (and what isn’t).
Stay true to you.
xo,
Rebecca A. Ward, LMFT, SEP, PCC
Founder, the Iris Institute
Speaker | Licensed Therapist | Executive Coach