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The Daily Sip: Washing Hands To
"Happy Birthday"
And Becoming More Present, Part 2 of 4
Today's
Morning Cup expands on Tuesday's column, "Washing Hands To 'Happy
Birthday' And Slowing Down Time." If you missed Tuesday's column, click here.
Singing "Happy Birthday," to your child, aloud
or to yourself, each time you wash your hands can be a wonderful
and joyful mindful parenting exercise. As previously discussed,
this exercise slows down what often is otherwise a mindless, automatic
act and infuses it with deeper meaning. Try it and you'll experience
this for yourself. Today, we'll focus on sensing the hands
while washing them.
As you begin to lather your hands and begin
singing "Happy Birthday," breathe deeply and slowly. Allow the
breath to fill not just your chest but to expand your belly.
This provokes a wonderful relaxation response. Then, with
deliberation, slow down the motion of your hands. Make sure
to lather them up well and, as you slowly move one hand over
the other, very consciously feel your fingers and palms.
Continue to breathe deeply. As you slowly move your hands, take
notice of the sudsy soap. Feel the water pouring over
them. Your hands will respond to this attention by "coming alive."
You may even begin to feel them tingle during the day.
This exercise
helps to open awareness to the bodily sensations of breathing
and of your hands. We often take both for granted. In
doing so, you will become more grounded in the present moment.
Thoughts of future and past will begin to dissipate. And with
it, so to will anxieties and concerns.
Practice this exercise
when you are at home, at work, alone or with your children
in the next room or alongside you. You will find that itbecomes natural to sing "Happy Birthday" to your child.
And as you recite your child's name, remember to visualize your
child, a smile on both of your faces.
