Ellen Hofrath - Stovall
If you are already a frequent reader of my column, you know I work in home office, besides being an artist, as times are rough and my art doesn't bring in enough money to pay my rent at the moment.
No big deal. I like to be a dispatcher and the diverse challenges this job brings on an everyday basis. As we are reaching the end of our recent project, the schedule is getting tight. I start working before sunrise and till I'm done, it's dark again. And that´s the worst part of it. As an artist I need frequent input to be creative. But at the time I'm done, it's not only dark, but freezing cold too. And by that I slowly and without even being aware of it, I came into a cycle of work, eating, TV, and sleeping. Which is ridiculous in a way, as that´s one of the points I always kept warning my coaching clients about! The highlight of my weeks are the Fridays or Saturdays, as I visit my grandson then to spend some time with him. He's not only hilariously funny and loves his „Moma“ to pieces, but he's also an Indigo-Child and a wise soul. So yesterday he told me an important lesson, I obviously forgot about: How to be in the moment and enjoy living in simple things. One of our rituals is, when I pick him up from Kindergarten on Fridays, we go to a nearby cafe and order some ice-cream. The little guy is well known at the place by now. They have really nice and kind servers, and he always gets a kids-cup. It's his favourite flavors, vanilla and strawberry, with some M&Ms, fresh fruits, wavers and some chocolate, and some strawberry syrup on top. - And this is where the lesson started. Elias is just 2 ½ years old and has very good manners (mostly out of the home, but that's ok). So he's sitting on his chair, and when his portion is served, for the first minute or so, he just looks at it. Doesn´t jump on it, no. He just looks at it and smiles. Then he starts to eat, but not as you would expect it from a almost still toddler. He always begins with the M&Ms, picking them out, one by one. After that he starts enjoying his ice-cream. He skips from strawberry to vanilla, some spoon with sirup, one without, each with intention. He turns the plate, so he can get to each part equally. He is never in a rush, and very focused. I can see how he appreciates every nuance of the tastes, valuing every detail. In between, he lays down his spoon, to get to a bite of wafer or chocolate. Sometimes, watching him, feels like meditation. He is so in the moment, enjoying every little piece of the experience. The best example of „practicing awareness“ I´ve ever seen. It never fails to calm me down too. There is simply no room for distractions or stress, when you are so focussed on what you are experiencing in this very moment. Don´t get me wrong, he's usually not a very quiet kid. He loves to be outside on the playground and has a lot of friends in Kindergarten. But he has a perfect feeling for his own needs. In one moment he is on the playground, running and screaming with his buddies, to be inside a few minutes later, playing alone with his cars or "reading“ a book. I'm sometimes almost jealous of his capability to drift away or pull back from reality or his surroundings, when he is focussed on something or needs some me-time and peace. He won't be bothered by anything, just doing and enjoying his thing, living his best life. Being inspired by him, I try to do this for myself. Today I had no idea what to write about, having the deadline in my back and all the stress and tension from my job still in my mind. So I decided to be Elias. I shut down TV and started a simple thing. Cleaning my apartment. But not as usually, with my mind wandering about all the things I should do, will have to do, or what will happen the next week. Instead I kept it quiet. While making my bed, I tried to be aware about the fabric of the sheets, then rearranged my sacred space. I cleaned every single stone, one by one. Took care of the plants, and so on. Letting all thoughts just pass by, like I would do during a meditation. In the end I smudged picked the scent sticks for later, by closing my eyes and picking the scent, that suits my mood. Then I took my garbage out and enjoyed the cold wind in my hair. And I can say: It worked. I was very satisfied with how much I did in a really short time, not taking it as a chore, but as a practice instead. I felt refreshed and calm. I had my column almost ready in my head, without even thinking about it. I realized that it was time to put my heels into the ground and pull the brake. It's something I always had and maybe will have to work on: not being caught up in the daily treadmill. Working at home makes this even harder, as you literally never really "leave“ the office. So I must find my routine again, or even establish a new one, so I don´t forget to live and enjoy so easily. When the last two years tought me anything, than it´s "time is valuable“. I find it a bit scary, how easy I forgot about this So please, take care for yourself. Do you need a reboot too? Is it time for you, to make this step? As it´s winter "smelling the roses“ isn't a thing, at least here in Germany. But you can take a piece of chocolate, and let it melt in your mouth, or consciously enjoy a glass of wine, or prepare your favourite dish. Do whatever makes you happy and enjoy the time after or before work. As this will be the last column of the year, I'd love to send some good wishes and positivity to you. Please consider celebrating the previous year. Take time to to remember the highlights. Maybe to sit down and go through it. What did you gain? Which lessons did you learn? Or maybe you join in and celebrate the European tradition of the "Rauhnächte“, You can read more about it in my article from December last year. It's the perfect ritual for the transition from the old to the new year.If you want to know more about it, feel free to contact me. I wish the best of all times to you, your loved ones and hope you can take the time to enjoy, celebrate and relax. Staring into a candle flame and manifesting your deepest desires. May all your wishes that benefit you come true. See you in the New Year
Night Out Foggy Night with Golden Lights
The Wild Hunt Misty Lake Sparkling Stars
Merry Christmas
You may reach Ellen at : bunteinspirationen@gmail.com on Instagram: ellenberlin1
Bio: Ellen Hofrath-Stovall was born in 1965 She is living in Berlin/Germany 2 Daughters, 3 grandchildren single Painting since 2012, self-educated several exhibitions in cafes and restaurants Reproduction of all or any part of material of Ellen Hofrath©, including previous posts, without the express written permission from Planet Starz, Inc. is strictly forbidden. **Note from Natalie: Ellen is someone I discovered on Instagram and immediately we became friends. I thought what a nice addition to the ezine this would be to have a column for her. Enjoy her work every month here at Mystic Living Today** |
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Mystic Living Today All rights, including copyright, in the content of these Mystic Living Today web pages are owned or controlled for these purposes by Planet Starz, Inc. Terms of Service Disclaimer and Legal Information For questions or comment, contact Starzcast@mysticlivingtoday.com. Reproduction of this page in any form is not allowed without permission of the author and the owner of this site. All material on this web site, including text, photographs, graphics, code and/or software, are protected by international copyright and trademark laws. Unauthorized use is not permitted. You may not modify, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit or distribute, in any manner, the material on this web site. Unless permissions is granted. If you have any questions or problems regarding this site, please e-mail Webmaster. Web site design by: Creative Net FX |