Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France – April 2020

I had a day off today so I went on my allowed 1h walk per day, 1 km around the house.

As I strolled down the Avenue Victor Hugo, I decided to turn off the music I was listening to and be more aware of what is happening around.

Isn’t it true that most of the time we are on autopilot? That we’re in a hurry, we’re ‘on a mission’ and rarely pay attention to the present moment? That we take for granted the normal day to day things? And that somehow because these are extraordinary times… we seem to realise now the extraordinary value of the ‘little things’?

Today I was ‘just present’.

And I was amazed.

I think I am finally understanding what people have been telling me about ‘mindfulness’ (psychological process of purposely bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgment – wikipedia).

I felt my senses overloaded… I felt joy. I felt alive.

…

And it felt good.

…

I felt the sun kissing my skin.

I heard birds singing.

I contemplated the beauty of the belle époque buildings.

I admired (and photographed) the majestic palm trees in private gardens.

I felt somehow connected but also privileged to BE.

…

As I turned right, to go towards the Promenade des Anglais, I crossed more and more people. The feeling of uneasiness was there. I never liked the crowds but now I was feeling edgy about being too close to people.

I hope this feeling goes away. And we go back to giving each other hugs and kissing hello without apprehension.

…

Today I was present, I was connected.