Awareness
As humans, we are often distracted by our world of work, family and the ever-present electronic devices, among other things. Our senses may be easily overwhelmed or distracted, leaving us unaware of what is happening to us in our environment.
What is your environment?
This is where you are at the time such as your home, your workplace, and your outdoor environment.
Sometimes this is inside in an airconditioned environment where you may not be aware of the outdoor weather and activity; sometimes, it is outdoors where you are aware of these things because they are directly impacting you. The man-made environment is just that, man-made. In many instances, if you look around and take notice of the sounds, smells, sights, and feelings of your indoor environment, you will work out that it is probably very different from your outdoor environment.

During the COVID-19 restrictions, many people were able to or were directed to work from their home office. I had this opportunity and found it valuable as I could go outside on a regular break, ground myself, and step back to my office space with greater focus, having stretched my legs and exercised my senses.
In my EAL work, I am outdoors with the horses and the humans who access our services. I am aware of elements such as the weather, the trees, the sounds, the animals, and how my clients and horses are responding or reacting to their environment. This awareness helps us make contact with ourselves and our horses.
Here is a little exercise!
Where ever you are now, give this a go (safely of course).
Look around your environment.
What do you see? (Shapes, forms, movement, colour)
What do you smell? (Pleasant and not-so-pleasant)
Listen. What sounds are there in your vicinity, and if it’s not too noisy, within yourself? Try closing your eyes and see if you hear anything differently.
Do a quick body scan. What do you feel? Externally: Where you come into contact with the seat you are sitting on. The footwear or your bare feet are in contact with the ground. A breeze on your skin.
Then focus inwards: tummy tightness or softness, your heart, or your pulse. Warmth or coolness.
Your Mind! How are your thoughts, feelings, and emotions now?
You get the idea!
Awareness keeps you safe by giving you a choice to respond to your environment and all that may be happening in the here and now.
Are you able to briefly tune in to yourself and tune out of what is happening around you? How did that feel? Were you comfortable with the experience, or did you not want to wait in that space for long?
Many of us are so busy experiencing external experiences that we either can’t or forget to really feel what our body is talking to us about.
Everything we do or experience shows up in the body either immediately or eventually. Sometimes this is positive, and sometimes, it’s not. If you are interested in this, there is quite a bit of reading on this. These are just a couple of examples:
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk and
When the Body Says No, The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Mate.
By being more aware of what is happening for us, the more we are able to tune into the other parts of our lives.

Feedback
I’d love to hear how you experience your levels of awareness and if you do anything to help with this. If it’s not something you wish to share publicly, that’s ok. It may just help a fellow reader if you are happy to share anonymously.
My herd and I can support you in developing your strategies in a safe and no-judgment setting.
If you would you like to learn more about how EAL can help you with your personal and professional development, please contact me. Contact details are on the Wilkydoo website.
If any of this has raised your issues or concerns for you, please don’t hesitate to contact your GP or mental health professional. Help is available.
Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
Bush Support Line 1800 805 391