Yesterday on the beach we had so much fun, running with the dogs, swimming in the sea, and then my son still had so much energy he was doing back flips and cartwheels for the sheer pleasure of moving. Summer had filled us up so full of joy that it came bubbling out through our bodies and into the world.
Mindfulness doesn’t always have to be about stillness and quiet, it’s all about focus. We can choose to focus on the sheer pleasure of using the muscles in our bodies to move through our day, and in this way bring a stilling of the thoughts. Our minds can become filled with the sensations of the actions and movements, letting go of over thinking. Shifting from thinking into experiencing.
The young among us can still throw wild and crazy shapes with their bodies, and the rest of us can remember how good it felt when we could move with this much freedom. This kind of joy in being alive is infectious, and even the dogs enjoyed watching. We can all jump for joy, within our own bodily limitations, at the one wonderful life we have been gifted. Don’t put off or delay the chance to enjoy the moment, because time has a way of creeping up unnoticed, bringing unwelcome companions like ageing in it wake.
breathofgreenair 
Sorry to break this to you, but your son has flipped! 🙂
Oh we knew that years ago 🙂
But he’s so much fun!
These are wonderful shots! Yes – I can remember doing tumbles and headstands while I positioned my legs in lotus — I think I still have it in me to do this stuff – but my unstable hip and delicate spine say beware. These are great reminders of having that freedom you speak of. Mindfulness is a wonderful thing in motion! 🙂 RL
Mindful motion, lovely phrase, I might keep that for later use 🙂
Ageing certainly reduces some of our ranges of motion, that’s why it’s good to use our bodies as fully as we can while we can…..and to enjoy what we can do 🙂 yoga helps me with this. I also love watching people stretch and throw their bodies into shapes I used to be able to do…..there is good evidence that just imagining using our bodies is almost as good for us as actually doing it!
This is fantastic, I can feel the energy bursting out!
Thanks so much, just what I was hoping for when I shot these photos 🙂
wise words, great photography — I especially love the juxtaposition of patient, peaceful dog and exuberant man-boy
Exuberant man-boy is just such a perfect description of Calum…..and Willow adores him, following his every move with thirsty eyes 🙂
Looks lie a very nice place to be at. Your son looks athletic.
It’s a really beautiful beach, near to our home, so we walk there often with the dogs. However it’s not very often warm enough to go swimming in the sea, so that was a real treat 🙂
Lovely photos that show your son’s pure joy of living in the moment. Great captures, Seonaid. 🙂
Thank you, and I think somehow its easier to stay in the moment the less years we have lived.
See … that’s what happens when I take too long to get around to commenting … what I would have said has already been said by others! Darn. If I had been quick off the mark I would have said that the images are technically well done and joyous. I think I like the second – best. D
Thanks for the technical compliment, and I’m so glad that they joy shines through. That second one captures the strength of balance I think…..and the composition is quite good….given that I was snapping a fairly quickly shifting subject 🙂
The athleticism of youth – finely captured – mind you I don’t think I could ever do that 🙂
He’s quite springy…..makes me feel young just watching him 🙂
What joyful pictures! I know just how that feels. I might not be able to frolic like your son but i do the same with my heart on special days when the sun shines, the sea is blue and sparkling and the dogs are blissfully happy and I can’t take the smile off my face!
It’s amazing the universal effect that sunshine, dogs and the seaside has on our happiness levels 🙂
Great shots, such funny son and I am really in love with your dogs, the last picture is pure ‘dog mindfulness’ while watching every movement of your son.
She was puffed out after running in the hot sun, and lay watching him closely……usually she would be jumping along beside him! Gad you enjoyed the fun filled photos 🙂
Lovely post and great pictures. I have spent the last ten days camping in Northumberland and waking up every morning with the beautiful countryside and sound of birdsong made me joyful every single morning 🙂
Dory that must have been magical, Northumberland is one of my favourite places anywhere. Camping in this beautiful sunshine must have been glorious, and starting the day filled with joy is such a gift 🙂
Absolutely joyful. I remember spending summers on the lawn doing head stands and hand stands. Now, with a few creaks and cricks I have taken up yoga to keep my parts in moving order for a few more years. 🙂
Oh I’m the same Lynne, yoga really helps to keep me supple, and I love the joy of stretching and moving in my body. However I didn’t feel quite up to back flips!
I NEVER felt up to back flips – I was too chicken 😉
How energetic he is! Let’s not put off or delay… Beautiful post!
Thanks Amy, here’s to living in the moment and embracing life 🙂
Grinning ear-to-ear. This post makes me feel young!
That’s just how I felt after a day on the beach 🙂
On a bitter winter’s day here in New Zealand the hot sand and sunshine invokes some wonderful feelings and memories. Despite creaking joints and less suppleness we can jump and spin for joy too. Thank you for reminding me of that:-))
Memories of summer whispered into winter….
I love the freedom of movement summer brings with less layers of clothes and days which seem to stretch forever into the twilight 🙂 can’t bear to think of winter at the moment!
What happy photos and a good message.
Thanks Suzanne, it was a very happy day which left me feeling like a kid again 🙂
Joyful and happy – that’s what we feel when our body reacts the way we want it to! And what makes me most happy in this world is watching my children/youngsters and my dogs having fun. Great happy shots!
Thanks Anna Christine…and I agree wholeheartedly, as usual, with your comment. The joy of watching and being swept up in to the fun and pleasure of those we love….you can’t beat it 🙂
🙂
I love this! And what a fun subject to photograph! You did a great job with these 🙂
Thanks Nikki, it was really fun to shoot these. It literally made me smile, and I took loads of images to come up with these four. He enjoyed being photographed doing this, so we agreed we might go and do some more 🙂