Have you ever found yourself distracted when something lovely is happening around you? A beautiful sunset, an awe inspiring night sky, a tender moment of connection or when you hear a beautiful piece of music, song or poem. Instead of pausing to really immerse yourself in the present moment, you find yourself elsewhere. In your own thoughts with your mind miles away. Then the moment passes.
Positive experiences aren’t as easy to recognize as something negative. When confronted with something frightening or upsetting it sounds the body’s alarm bells and you feel a visceral response. The senses are heightened and your sympathetic nervous system moves into a fight, flight or freeze response. In contrast, the arrival of a positive experience is softer, quieter and calmer. It can be easily missed in the bustle of life. It relies on you consciously stopping to experience and appreciate it fully.
The wonderful thing is, the more we practice being present with the positive things happening around us, the more we will naturally notice more examples. It has the potential to rewire how we perceive the world around us. Elevating our mood and increasing gratitude for the abundance we have.
‘Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.’
– Marianne Williamson.
Psychologist and author Dr Rick Hanson uses the acronym H.E.A.L as a process to help us really recognise and take these positive experiences in.
H = Have. The ability to notice something enjoyable and positive is happening. Recognising it’s presence. Making the time to pause and process what you are experiencing.
E = Enrich. Using your senses to fully take in the experience. Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting. Creating more neural responses and pathways.
A = Absorb. Staying with the experience long enough to create emotional and physical memories in your body.
L = Link. Fitting the experience into the broader picture of your life. Appreciating that positive and negative experiences are part of being human. Learning to cherish with gratitude ‘glimmer’ moments when they occur. Those small moments that make us feel calm, connected, safe and at peace.
The next time you notice something positive happening, pause long enough to take it in. Think of these moments of personal processing as opportunities to recognise how full and abundant your life is. Your mind and body will thank you.