and experiencing the most of it.

Good day readers!

Too often do we miss the moments we experience right in front of us, day in, day out. We think we’ll only be fulfilled once we complete this task or once we pursue this particular thing. But every now and then in our lives, our minds, vacant of thoughts, allow us to be immersed in the backdrops of our mundane or auto-piloted lives.

• The gentle waves crashing onto shore before a sunrise 🌊

• A bird’s song piercing the quietness of a forest 🐦

• Attending a special event 🎆

• Catching up with family and friends after a long time 🫂

As adults, finding these opportunities are hard to come by, especially if they’re being sought out deliberately. From my experience, I’ve found that these reveal themselves naturally to you, often without you even realising it.

A recent one for me happened on ANZAC day after attending the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Strolling along the beach, minutes before the rising sun and hearing the distant band play their march for the ANZACs, it was peaceful. No thoughts, no technology, no distractions; it was tranquillity.

I remember experiencing this similar feeling during my February hike along one of the hiking trails near my previous residence in Australia.

Within a couple minutes of starting, you get greeted by the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National park that borders along the track.

As I meandered my way along the fringes of the national park, being alone and listening to the sounds of the environment around was enough to pull my focus into the walk. Although I encountered cyclists and passing joggers, you wouldn’t know there was a line of houses just several metres away from you when you start.

The afternoon sun was cooling down as a band of clouds gathered in the distance: luckily it didn’t rain. The trail was only a 14km return, but oddly, it felt more. Perhaps it’s from taking it in as much as I could, or my time photographing a feeding wallaby was longer than I anticipated… time does flyby when you’re having fun, but in this case, time slows down when you become present and aware of what’s around you.

With just a couple of weeks left in Sydney at the time I did this hike, it was only now where the impact of moving to New Zealand had begun to settle in. Completing final things before the flight, packing items and personal belongings away for storage and spending the time with family and friends was becoming a greater priority.

I think, because of this, my mind was focused on being present along this hike. Sure, thoughts darted in and out of my consciousness, but I was there, tuned out from distractions and the bulk of my internal thoughts.

In an odd way, as I completed the track and was returning back the way I came, it was like saying goodbye to an old friend whom you’ve never met.

The hike was both a reminder for myself to anticipate not just what lays in store for the future, but to also disconnect and enjoy the moments that I have that are given to me right now.

Nowadays, I’m sure you’re well aware of all the factors that are pulling your time or attention away from what you want to do. If you can find an activity or opportunity that lets you enjoy the moment for what it is, you’ll feel not only better, but lighter, refreshed and calm, you may even have a moment of clarity and reflection as your thoughts be quietened for a brief moment.

Not often do these times of stillness, solitude and being present appear, but when they do, I make sure to be 100% focused on experiencing it.

What’s something that you do to ground yourself into the present moment? Interested to hearing what everyone does!

📺 Recent Movie/TV Watch: Apex, an Australian movie that’s actually decent!

🌱 Lesson of the Week: Keep showing up to what you want to do most everyday

📖 Learning Experience of the Week: The Lion King’s initial story basis was derived off Shakespeare’s Hamlet

🏆 Highlight of the Week: Attending the Autumn Armageddon Expo, seeing NZ’s pop culture, gaming and technology scene, including a panel with the Avatar: The Last Airbender voice actors!

🎵 Music of the Week: Listening to AURENZA (The Tide Returns is a great one) and the Project Hail Mary Soundtrack

Thankyou for reading! I hope to see you in the next Tale. Until next time! 🧙🏻

Critters

🖌️ Creations of the Week:

18 Small, Subtle Minecraft Mods - Small Mod Discoveries | Volume 8