how to look at the clouds

Stop.

Chill out.

Sit down.

Lean back.

Tilt your head up.

Make sure you are still stopping. It’s important, very important in this moment to keep still.

Look at a cloud. Notice it’s moving. I love that part when the clouds move. It means I’m still. It means I’m calm. It feels like I’m in the moment. It feels like I’m present.

I know I’m not looking at clouds when I glance up and my eyes scan the sky and I don’t notice.

I’m not really looking at clouds in those moments. I’m just looking at the weather. Looking for rain clouds or sunshine, thinking ahead. I’m thinking about what it’s going to be like later. In the future.

When I’m in the moment. I’m still and I notice that the clouds are moving. Then I think about the wind and where it’s going and where it’s coming from. And that tries to pull me out of the present.

So I keep, keeping still.

Keep noticing the clouds moving. They swirl. They expand. They drift. They block the sun and it gets darker. Then they pass and it gets brighter again.

I can feel my heart rate decreasing when I look at the clouds and notice movement.