Well, hello there. My name is Morgan Harper-Nichols. I'm an artist and a writer, and this is a space where I share words that I hope can make a little room for you to slow down and take a few deep breaths as you prepare for whatever lies ahead. Thanks for being here today. And now on to today's episode. It is no secret that the busyness of life

can disconnect us from engaging with a present moment between our jobs, social lives, appointments,

and commitments. Our time is constantly in demand, and we

often lose touch with what's right in front of us. When our minds are overwhelmed with constant

distractions, with worries about what will or won't happen, being present can feel like this elusive, far-off idea.

Perhaps even when we do try to implement mindfulness practices, such as meditation or exercise,

it can feel difficult to make time if it's not already a part of our daily routine. But with all of life's

busyness comes the necessity to make room to connect with the present, even if only in small,

fun ways. Incorporating fun doesn't have to feel naive or immature. It can simply mean choosing

activities that make you feel free and engage your childlike sense of wonder. So as you prepare to

start your day, commit to trying at least one of these

five fun ways to stay grounded in the present moment. Number one, cloud watching. When was the last time

you stop what you were doing to look up at the sky and search for animals

and shapes in the clouds? The simple activity doesn't have an end goal and that's exactly the point.

There's no specific number of shapes or animals that you have to see. No specific time limit

for what you are required to search.

It's simply a way to engage your imagination and connect to the world around you.

As the clouds move and shift through the sky, imagine your worries moving away from you as well. Remember that you are here to enjoy life,

and cloud watching can be a fun and easy way to stay connected with the present moment.

Number two, watch the bubbles in your coffee or tea. As you're getting ready for the day,

take a moment to watch the bubbles in your morning drink tea. As you're getting ready for the day, take a moment to watch

the bubbles in your morning drink of choice. What do you notice about how they move? As the bubbles

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