I stayed with a friend recently and we decided to make some apple pancakes together for breakfast. I was given the task of grating an apple. I was feeling a bit tired but very hungry, so I threw myself into my role as chief apple grater and attempted to grate the apple as fast as I could.
After about 30 seconds, apple seemed to be flying all over the kitchen. I felt like I would lose the skin on my knuckles at any moment; I was getting nowhere, my friend was laughing her head off and I felt frustrated and defensive. I was trying so hard to get this job done and it was tough. I certainly wasn’t in the mood to laugh.
It took some convincing (I really had my cranky pants on), but eventually I let my friend explain that there was an easier way to grate the apple. All I had to do was grate gently and use the skin of the apple to protect my fingers as I went. After a short demonstration it was clear that my friend was on to something! She made this apple grating thing look so easy… but I wasn’t convinced until I tried it myself. I thought that maybe my friend just had stronger arms than I did.
So I gave this new apple grating method a try, and sure enough I had to admit my friend was absolutely right. My apple grating chore became so easy and lovely I actually began to enjoy myself. It didn’t take me long to realise that I have approached many things in my life the way I approached that poor helpless apple that morning.
I am learning that when I am gentle, I am present – and when I am present everything seems easier, runs much more smoothly and there is a graceful flow. It is amazing what we can learn from the smallest action or thing. I was amazed by the beautiful lesson that I eventually allowed by simply grating an apple and being open to a different way, and it has stayed with me ever since.
Inspired by Serge Benhayon and the work of Universal Medicine.
By Leonne Sharkey, Brisbane
The Truth about Serge Benhayon 
‘It is amazing what we can learn from the smallest action or thing. ‘ Yes Leonne, we have true education all around us when we observe.
With gentleness we create space around us through movements that reflect the flow of the universe.
Ahh the wonder and power of simply being present with ourselves is absolute gold. Sometimes our mind can seemingly know it all or arrogantly defend its intellectual might but the body actually has far more wisdom. I find being in the flow with life often offers more than what the mind could imagine as things just unfold in ways you never expect when you just allow it.
I love the simple lessons we learn in life and how something as simple as how we approach a task can teach us so much, simply being more gentle in our approach can change the actual outcome of the task in hand.
What this sharing so beautifully portrays is that when we grate our bodies and hold them in tension life seems hard and tedious but when we move from the constant flow and ease of our full bodies connection to any activity we are partaking in, life flows with expansion and joy and it can be just by adjusting our movements ever so gently.
I love these little aha moments, they are small but the realisations are huge.
It is amazing how much more gentler and harmonious our actions are when we truly reconnect with ourselves. Your blog is a beautifull reminder.
Thankyou Leonne, there is a real cuteness to this blog. You have also reminded me to be more aware of my gentle and loving self. and observe how life flows when I am with these qualities.
Life becomes simple and, like you’ve said Leonne, in a graceful flow when we listen to our bodies and not go against it by forcing it to have it in a certain way.
It’s true Leonne – I was contemplating how much I understood and became aware of throughout my day today. This was due to me being gentle with myself in what was being revealed.
What a lovely fun way to share this important message, it is always about our movements and quality of energy first, in everything we do.
This is a great example Leonne of the great simplicity and hence great profundity in these simple daily gestures. I love it that you approached this spherical fruit in one way to no avail and then to another to great avail. I seem to have used the term ‘great’ quite a lot in this comment – pun intended??
Beautiful understanding and reminder Leonne, ‘I am learning that when I am gentle, I am present – and when I am present everything seems easier, runs much more smoothly and there is a graceful flow.’
I so relate to this, there are a million different situations where I have been that apple grater. It is incredible the difference the same task can be when done in different energies. We either fight life or we play ball with it. A lovely read on gentleness and why its the way to live.
Love this very simple but very powerful life lesson Leonne. A great example that having your “cranky pants on” while grating an apple is a very lethal combination; in fact having them while you do anything is just as dangerous whereas being with yourself in every movement is much more safe and healthy way to be.
I love the humour in what you share and how blessed you are to have a friend who offered you lighthearted support in a grumpy moment.
A great lesson to learn. Sometimes we just have to trust that trying things a different way may just be better than the way we have always done things.
It is never about the grating of the apple, it is all in how we are. Our movements can be heavenly no matter what we do.
I think we are perhaps all familiar with the adage: ‘It’s not what you do but how you do it’. But how many of us really put this into practice as Leonne has here and truly examined the quality of energy with which we move and thus the quality of energy we reflect to others and infuse our ‘doing’ with? Also –I am still giggling at this image of the not-so-great apple grating turned super great!
It’s so true that we can learn so much from the smallest action or thing. Every moment we have an opportunity to learn, so if we take the space to read the lesson, we are forever deepening our awareness and understanding of ourselves and life. Then if we move with this deeper awareness we bring it to life and it becomes the living wisdom of our bodies.
It is amazing what we can learn from the smallest movement and from a humble apple; thank you Leonie;
“I am learning that when I am gentle, I am present – and when I am present everything seems easier, runs much more smoothly and there is a graceful flow”.
Oh I giggled aloud reading this this morning. I can so relate to going at things ten to the dozen to get them done and creating complication. Not being present can be so familiar that I can slip into being distracted and multi-tasking without actually noticing – then, hey-presto the proverbial apple is all over the kitchen.
Thank you Leonne for sharing how instantly we can transform our lives when we choose to move in connection to our essence within. If we can make such a powerful change through grating an apple imagine what is possible if we apply this to our entire way of living and the relationships we share.
We think that doing things gently means doing things more slowly or without any purpose. However what I have found is when I do anything in a hurry, I end up having to repeat myself or repeat part of what I have completed. I have also found that when I am being more gentle I have greater purpose and focus, whereas in a rush I can get easily distracted.
I was just pulling our rubbish bins back in and went into it not from the need of doing it but from a commitment to staying with the warmth in my chest and my tenderness; presence and gentleness do make things easier: instead of pushing harder and exerting ourselves, we just find a different way of doing things and it all flows from there.
Choosing to be present in the body allows us to connect to our innate qualities of gentleness which create the foundation where self-loving choices can be made.
This is another reminder of how the mind can use ‘history’ or knowledge to drive the choices we make and how in every moment we choose presence or complication. When we push through in our day we allow exhaustion to inform the choices we make – a simple sharing with much wisdom.
Our perspective shapes our experience of life and reality. But what shapes our perspective?
Your words on presence are very beautiful – when we are present there is indeed a graceful flow. The situation with the grating represents so many situations and moments in life where things don’t go well – where we are already disconnected and our own lack of inner order seems to bring disturbance to all we do.
This is a great testimony of how life can be so much easier when we approach it gently rather than trying so hard to concur it.
Not sure how I missed this gorgeous blog Leonne… life’s lessons are there in the smallest of things, and are rarely so small as they seem.
Thank you Tim, my shoes along with many other things will take on a whole new role by allowing me to focus, so that I can be reconnected back to my stillness.
This reminded me of the way I would grate apples, and what I love about what you have shared Leonne is the way you let everything else go so you could bring your focus back to being with yourself.
Great demonstration that even the smallest of actions can teach us a lot – in this case, doing things with focus and being present while doing it made the job so much easier, kids’ play as they say.
I love that you can find profound lessons in the simplest of things… making you realize the power in any moment should you remain present and open to what it can offer you.
Life is about this graceful flow you are talking about Leonne, it is about the quality we bring in each moment.
“I have approached many things in my life the way I approached that poor helpless apple that morning.” Oh do I know this approach Leonne, and it might not have been ferociously grated apple flying all over the kitchen, but there were many other things that I charged full on into; everything was done at top speed so I could get it over and done with quickly, but that usually didn’t happen as I would make, a mess, a mistake and often would have to start all over again. I love the lesson that you learned, and it is one that I have too, and these days “grating apples” is undertaken with a lot more care, presence and enjoyment.
This is beautiful Leonne, how something so simple like this can give us just the reflection we need at that time.
“. . . when I am present everything seems easier, runs much more smoothly and there is a graceful flow.” Leonne you describe the true power of being present – what is a real gift. Thank you for this great reminder.
When we connect to the delicacy and tenderness within ourselves we discover the simplicity of life as we surrender more easily to the flow of the Universe.
Such a great reminder that even in the smallest and most menial of tasks big lessons can be learnt – thank you 🙂
Its the simple lessons in life that I enjoy… no less powerful and we can always use them in many different spheres of life
“I am learning that when I am gentle, I am present – and when I am present everything seems easier, runs much more smoothly and there is a graceful flow. It is amazing what we can learn from the smallest action or thing.” So true Leonne. Love the learning here – stay present and with myself and life flows…..In contrast to ‘trying’ to get things done, maybe as quickly as possibly, and that flow and grace disappears.
What simply a grating of an apple can say – a very awesome learning and becoming aware of ways of being in life. It is more then an apple, how beautiful is that..
Having the humility and presence to be dedicated to every moment allows us to craft the life we want for everyone.
Beautiful Leonne, you have reminded us that God is in the little details.
I too love this knowing Leonne: “It is amazing what we can learn from the smallest action or thing”. In fact I have found that it is in the tiniest of actions that I have learnt the most, but sadly we often miss these opportune lessons as we are waiting for the big production numbers. I will never grate an apple the “old” way again.
It’s very interesting that lately I’m coming across many articles that talk about this very topic: Our approach to everyday tasks. It’s a huge warning sign for me as I become more and more aware of the drive and push I live in throughout each and every day. With my health suffering as a result, what I’m noticing is that there is so much support out there and evidence to help me choose to approach my day differently. Why would I ignore simplicity and joy for complication and struggle?
Such a great lesson Leonne. And what an appropriate example of how we approach everything in life. Fast is not necessarily better and often proves to be slower. It’s so simple.
It is so often the apparently small events in life that make the greatest changes to how we live. This is a great example of being inspired by another to find a more gentle way of being.
I love what you are sharing her Leonne, it shows that we can have revelations in any moment and that these revelations are not bound to just this moment but open us doors to see so much more and let go of behaviours that hold us constricted and tight and make life hard and unpleasant.
Small action = big lesson … I love it 🙂
Life is so beautiful when you take the time to really pay attention to the details, and evolve in the smallest moments.
I agree, it makes such a big difference. We can learn from every single moment if we choose to be open and aware.
Leonne I have come to realize this gentle way of doing things too. The tension goes and the body is working with the job at hand not against it.
I know when I do anything in a rush or am under pressure to complete something my quality certainly drops and my nervous system goes into overdrive. Learning to stay present with myself has been key to allowing a different quality within and not using drive to get things done – and the best part is I still arrive at the same place without complication and with greater harmony and flow.
I love the beauty of doing simple tasks in connection to ourselves. It really does bring a beautiful quality and flow to everything and its so fun too.
The energy and the force that we bring through us when there is a push and drive certainly gets things done but at what expense and what do we miss along the way?
Great point Alison, a reminder to be present in the kitchen and in all we do.
I find more and more when I let myself be all of me in a situation how different it is from when I rush. recently I had some experiences where I was trying to get done what I needed to without paying much attention with how I was doing it. The outcome – an accident.
Very Very true, it is actually an illusion that we are more productive when we are rushed. Sure we may get things done however what is the quality the tasks were completed in and are they worth mentioning in a week or two?
Thank you Leonne for a beautifully simple blog, one that I enjoy re reading again, and the reminder that there is so much to learn in the way we do the most simple things in life, like greating an apple in gentleness, and the joy this brings when gentleness is our way in all we do in life.
I can find myself in a similar situation, Leonne-working against the natural flow of life. I am learning that gentleness brings such beautiful gifts of connection and grace to any task we do.
When we are present in connection with ourselves, life cannot help but in general to flow smoothly, and when we do hit the bumps, we have the resilience to come back, reconnect, feel that flow again, and to understand that everything is reflecting back to us for us to feel and to eventually truly be ourselves.
Absolute truth. And the moment we identify with the bumps in the sense that we have self-created them and thus seek recognition for them by crying ‘life is hard and I am doing my best’, we are gone into the underworld where lack of connection is the key to our seeming survival, aka security, when really they are the bolts in the door that stop us accessing a wisdom (Universal flow) far greater than the human mind and all its concocted issues (roadblocks) can fathom.
I can easily say ‘ditto’ for me Leonne. More and more I am finding that when I lose gentleness that what I am doing seems to automatically require twice as much effort and invariably the result is not quite what I had hoped for. Thanks for the reminder – it’s a timely one to me and I suspect many others.
A lovely blog with a reminder that when we’re open to receive, we are offered lessons on a daily basis as reflections on the way we’re living life. It’s an exquisite phenomenon, allowing us to learn on the small stuff before we hit it in the big time – but only if we choose to discern the message when it’s offered.
It’s amazing how even the small things can trip us up. I find I get all sorts of bumps, bruises and small cuts and half the time I can’t even remember later on how they happened. You are so right Leonne when you say that gentleness is a key to staying present because how can you be gentle without noticing the impact of what you are doing on your body? Thanks for a lovely reminder to slow down and stay present with what’s happening right at this moment.
That is a really good point you are sharing here Helen! I know this in myself as well how easily I can ignore these little injuries and not read the sign to stay more present with myself and not rush ahead in my mind to the next task.
Have you just revealed the secret to a simple and easy flowing life Ms Sharkey? 😉
It is definitely true that all things go easier when we are gentle and present, and don’t have an ideal of how something should go. Just take our time is the best thing to do something in way that is supportive to our body.
I know when I am in a rush to get things done there is no quality in my movements and I often end up having to repeat the chore because it was incomplete. Thank you Leonne for the beautiful and simple reminder to be present and gentle in everything we do.
The simplest of things with a most powerful message, a gorgeous reflection Leonie.
I will never grate an apple again without feeling for you with a smile on my face.
A simple yet profound sharing Leonne that can be applied to all that we do. I’ve had this experience many times and learned that when I come back to me whatever I’m doing invariably flows with much more ease than when I hastily try to force an outcome or result.
“It is amazing what we can learn from the smallest action or thing” Yes this is so true and all we have to do is be willing to remain open to accepting what is being shown to us.
It was great to read about finding a simpler way of doing things, and great that it was such a simple process, and also great to be open to actually being able to change .
Thank you Leonne for sharing your experience, so simple and so true, that when we are present and bring care and gentleness to any action it can be easy and light .
Yes Brendan, our way of disfunction actually shows us much important information. As from this reading with grating an apple for instance we are being shown that the way we are doing things, can be actually very complex and presenceless, therefore the apple might drop, just like you actually do in presence too. That is very symbolic! So can we look at everything in life. We are being constantly shown evolution, we are always being shown how we can look better after ourselves – even by the smallest examples.
‘It is amazing what we can learn from the smallest action or thing’ That’s very true. There doesn’t need to be a drum roll, lights, camera and action to catch our attention. Just a willingness to observe and appreciate what’s there to be seen and understood.
Leonne, I haven’t heard ‘cranky pants’ in such a long time. It made me giggle. When we do have these cranky pants on it is so hard to see a different way or even appreciate the other person pointing out our dilemma. But if we stop and observe then we open ourselves up to new experiences or opportunities and these are life’s little gifts.
Awesome Leonne. Without the grace and flow of our presence and connection with what we do complication sets in. By attending to any task either in a rush or with your cranky pants on it is sure to increase the degree of difficulty of the task significantly – and just like your apple, the quality you complete the task in pays the ultimate price.
Love this Leonne. Simple sweet and so very true. The grace and ease of presence in action profoundly outshines any rushed and racy attempt I could ever make at ‘getting the job done’.
A great blog, Leonne. I have been connecting to some deep held tension in my body recently and feeling how I have approached many things in my life with force and drive, and learning to be open to a different way – which is more accepting, loving and tender.
Amusing and charming Leone, as well as a simple lesson in presence. Thank you.
There’s a saying “more hurry less speed” and reading your blog Leonne, brought it back to me. When we’re not present, when our thoughts are elsewhere and we’re racing ahead ‘trying so hard’ to complete a job and move on, our bodies literally ‘harden up’ and we become out of sync with our surroundings and the natural gentle rhythm and flow of life. ‘We’re just not there’, there’s no space and we seem to ‘get nowhere fast’. By staying present in the moment, feeling our body and what we are engaged in, our innate tenderness finds expression and space seems to expand making room for all we need to do to be done efficiently with natural harmony and grace.
So simple, yet so profound! Thank you Leonne.
I love the way you write Leonne. It is so funny I had to laugh about the whole apple experience. I can relate so much to staying stubbornly in frustration and defensiveness. It is one thing I am learning for sure, to let that stubbornness and pride go in that moment as I know it is actually not really me being myself when I am in such a mood and someone exposes it with being playful. It is actually a moment to also be much more gentle and playful with myself. This moments I am learning to embrace and that is really cool.
There are always greater ways to do things, really helps to go to the core of things, and to really feel the flow that is always there to be felt, if we just reconnect.
Surrendering to our gentleness and allowing change opens up endless possibilities in life and brings about a beautiful flow of simplicity.
I love your comment Linda. A truth so beautifully expressed it is a blessing to read and feel. I will share it on my Facebook page so more people get that blessing and I can read it again!
I completely agree that there are big lessons in even the apparently smallest things in life. I laughed with I read you describe the apple as “poor and helpless” because it sounded more like a description of you (all of us) when we don’t do things with presence and I would also add a list of others words such as irresponsible and indulgent to that!
I know what you mean about grating that apple Leonne. I sure find I enjoy things a terrible amount more when I am gentle, and feel that flow that we can be in, it is so lovely.
“I was amazed by the beautiful lesson that I eventually allowed by simply grating an apple and being open to a different way, and it has stayed with me ever since.” This says so much Leonne…by being open to something new, and allowing what is offered, can bring so many magical moments and opportunities in our lives.
This blog really took me out of the seriousness I get into when I too determinedly do the same thing the same way, with the same unwanted results! Thanks for lightening me up and helping me see how gentleness leads the way in establishing new ways 🙂
It is beautiful that you were open to receiving a different way of being in that moment. Thank you for this powerful reminder that you have expressed and claimed so well – ‘I am learning that when I am gentle, I am present – and when I am present everything seems easier, runs much more smoothly and there is a graceful flow.’ Thank you Leonne – a perfect confirmation for me this morning.
Its amazing how simple life can be when we are present with ourselves whit everything we do.
Aaaaah Leonne, such a powerful message in a simple activity 🙂 I’ve decided to stay in the same lane instead of changing lanes to get a few cars ahead and with this simple philosophy or approach to driving now, I feel so much calmer and present with myself, far more willing to observe what’s around me rather than sail through, by-passing others all the time. Took all of 10 seconds to decide to change my way but the outcome has been momentus!
It still amazes me how these simple decisions can transform my experience of a task I do everyday and bring so much more quality to my life. Great reminder thanks Suzanne.
What a beautiful Blog Leonne and a great lesson to learn ‘when iI am gentle and present everything seems easier, runs much more smoothly and there is a graceful flow’. Thank you.
I loved this Leonne. I think we are all guilty of approaching many things in life like you have to the apple, the great thing is knowing now thanks to Serge Benayon there is another way.
I must admit I have never tried to grate an apple, and I have never really liked grating anything, but thanks to your article I now have some tips on how to do it without stress and grated knuckles.
I love the analogy of the apple as to how we live our everyday life, as it has been my experience that the less I force things to be the more easily they come. It is great when I catch myself in the moment of doing something hard or in an anxious rush and come to that awareness that gentleness may be better, I can then immediately feel the difference. Thanks for your sharing Leonne.
Exactly, the moment we realize that something seems to require force and big efforts is the moment to stop. If then we approach the same task with patience and gentleness things will suddenly flow and become simple.
That is such a cool message Leonne!
When I feel gentle and present, everything I do does flow, and because things are being done properly straight away and done with quality, it’s actually easier and get’s done quicker with no stress or frustration OVER if I was to be stressed about ‘time’ and rushing to get things done.
I agree arieljoymuntelwit, when you do things gently and totally with yourself and the task at hand, it is stress free and yes it does feel like you get the job done quicker. If you go against the clock, then you pull in anxiousness, stress and you do get frustrated and things always seem to go wrong.
Playful and preceptive, this blog feels great to read! It is a great reminder of the power found in being present. Life really does feel more easy and supportive when I am present and in the moment. Thank you.
This lighthearted blog demonstrates beautifully, the benefits that occur when we choose presence and gentleness with all that we do. A simple story, with a profound message.
What a gorgeous sharing Leonne, and a deeply profound one. It leads me to reflect on just how difficult we can make tasks in life, when we don’t bring ‘all of ourselves’ to them. Since coming to the work of Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine, I am far more attentive to the way in which I ‘do things’, similar to what you have shared here. If I find that I’m in something of a tizz, then it’s time to truly stop – or at least pause… and recognise that I’ve gone a bit off kilter, and most definitely need to refocus and come back to myself. This makes a tremendous difference, as to continue on ‘grating the apple badly’ so to speak, serves no meaningful end at all. To catch myself in such a behaviour, means that something has affected me in some way – perhaps I’ve over-pushed it, am super-tired, emotional about something and haven’t been dealing with it or really consciously acknowledged it at all… whatever it is, the most self-honouring this I’ve found is to allow the space to come back to myself. I am most definitely worth it (and so is the proverbial ‘apple pancake’ and whomever may consume it!).
Thanks Leonne, its ‘grate’ how even the simplest thing can teach us ‘grateness’, and there is wonder and love within that simplicity.
Indeed, staying “open” to all possibilities and ways of doing things allows amazing unfolding!
Leonne, staying present and gentle has quite an amazing effect as you stated so well. I still have to learn to continue to follow with my eyes what I am doing with my hands – too often I start doing something – it can be as simple as opening a door – and half turn away before I finish. Staying with what I am doing is the next step. It will be interesting what happens.
Great point Christoph I too can find myself starting the next thing before I have completed the current thing, it is like I jump ahead of myself so as not to be present with what I am doing. Thank you for highlighting this.
Thank you Leonnie! As I started reading a feeling of anxiousness of you came to me when you were first grating the apple in agitation seemingly driven by hunger. Then the hunger left the ‘crime scene’ and you surrendered to you, the task and the delicacy of your fingers. ‘Grate’ 😎 sharing!
Amazing how much unnecessary force we can bring to a task when we are not present. Thank you for such a great (!) and simply beautiful example.
awesome, a great reminder as i still have things in my life that share the fate of the poor apple ..
How much easier everything is, when we do it actually with us. Great sharing- thank you.
It’s funny how when we charge in to do something we don’t allow any time for our own light bulb moments
Very true Jaime, when we rush to get something done or get to somewhere our ability to sense the next step is lessened, resulting in an outcome of a lower quality.
I love your blogs Leonne, so simple yet the message is sincerely profound. Just to be gentle and stay present changes so much about the way we live and has an effect on everything we do, and in turn everyone around us as well.
Beautiful, simple and profound teaching Leonne, what you shared:
‘I am learning that when I am gentle, I am present – and when I am present everything seems easier, runs much more smoothly and there is a graceful flow.’ this feels so true, a simple concept, yet we often make life so complex by not being connected, then running after ourselves to clean up or correct the mess we have created in the first place.
Simpleness is in the smallest of things. thanks Leonne
Gorgeous article Leone! Both your article and all the follow-up comments are such supportive reminders to bring presence (and bring yourself) to each moment of the day. Thank you! xx
Great! We have the opportunity to feel how we are in every little thing we do, and also have the possibility to come back to ourself.
It’s the smallest things that amount to the greatest, what a wonderful post and lesson too Leonne
Thanks Leonne. The worst thing about crankiness is that it can be contagious. And the best thing about being in our loveliness and own- presence is that it too can spread around.
Thanks for sharing Leonne, life is so simple and more enjoyable when we choose to be more present within ourselves, it is a real joy!
It’s so true that things are easier when we are gentle, things flow so much better and you feel better too! I notice this at work and now I’m more used to being gentle, when I go into a rush or hardness at work I actually become less productive. Like your example you have described with the apple.
Wash on, wash off. Wax on, wax off (karate kid). The lessons you can learn from common everyday jobs around the house are quite profound if you are present enough to truly feel the magic in every movement and expression. I am still trying to figure out what profound lessons there are in cleaning the toilet bowl…
The way you describe your ‘Cranky Pants’ Leonne made me smile. I think I used to have some of the same brand. What I felt in what you wrote was the beauty of allowing someone else in, to show you there may be another way. This openness is something to truly cherish – it is pretty grate.
I bet the pancakes you made tasted even better afterwards as well!
There is such a universal lesson here in this simplest of tasks that you shared Leonne. The ‘being gentler’ method is one that i have been applying more and more often and it always makes difficult or troublesome tasks flow with greater ease. My whole day can be lived in this kind of flow when I take the striving and drive out of what I do and become more tender. There just seems so much more time when I do this. Thanks for your awesome reminder of this way of being.
‘cranky pants’ I love it. Thanks for sharing I can really relate to this. When I am not present and with me in what I am doing it feels horrible, and when I am it feels easy and lovely.
And you letting go of the want to get it right and allowing another to show the way is very inspiring, and perhaps life changing, that’s how it feels to me anyways. I can relate to this apple grating session you had.
Matts you are absolutely right. I am learning time and time again that being open to what others present is absolutely key in my relationships. I have spent so much of my life headstrong and arrogant, I even had the nickname ‘mother superior’ in my teens. When I allow myself to be open to the fact that what I am doing is not working and let my guards down any tension, sadness and anger I may be feeling just drops away. It’s a beautiful thing. Even better than apple pancakes.
I didn’t know how arrogant I have been until recently. Its amazing how the reflection of another can give us just what we need to look at, if we choose to.
What a great lesson to learn Leonne and the best way to learn it. By owning the moment we enjoy the little things that create such long lasting powerful memories. Making and enjoying breakfast with your friend.
I love your reference here to ‘cranky pants!’ A playfully written piece shows the change when we keep it simple. As you say Leonne ….’I am learning that when I am gentle, I am present – and when I am present everything seems easier, runs much more smoothly and there is a graceful flow’….thank you
How lovely to read Leonne – the little things we change can make such a huge difference – especially if we start with how we do things! Those apple pancakes sound delicious!
Leonne thank you for such a simple and profound article: that being gentle one remains present and so able to do so much more; and by being open there is such an opportunity to learn and hence evolve.
This is such a simple and yet profound lesson Leonne. Many times at work I have either scratched or cut myself while trying to go too fast to fix something, usually when I have taken on another person’s sense of time burden instead of staying with my own rhythm. It’s amazing how much quicker we can go by going slower and more gently, because many times the frenzied approach causes even more problems and slows us down in the long run.
this was an awesome find for me. I was eating my breakfast and your comment “when I do something gently…” stopped me in my tracks. I was like “hang on a minute am I being gentle with my eating here”…it dropped me into being super gentle and all of a sudden I could feel all of my body and everything did slow down. Simple, small things make all the difference.
Esoteric Yoga sessions here in the UK are opening me to a new awareness of ‘being present’.
This gentle teaching has revealed my ‘non gentleness’ with myself (ie. pushing my body beyond its limits).
I agree Leonne, the smallest action can be a huge ‘lesson’.
I love the simplicity and humour in this blog Leonne, exposing how being out of Conscious Presence with any action is always there for us to learn from – the ‘cranky pants’ reference has me still laughing and feeling joyful inside!
Beautiful blog Leonne, isn’t it great that something so simple offers us the opportunity to bring us back to being present with ourselves?
A true reminder that when we are tender and present in all that we do Joy comes to your life. Thank you Leonne.
Beautiful Leonie, a simple and practical example of when we are gentle with ourselves, we are present…just lovely.
“I am learning that when I am gentle, I am present – and when I am present everything seems easier, runs much more smoothly and there is a graceful flow” I find this statement to be spot on it is oh so very true!
It is still very much work in progress for me to bring gentleness and presence to all I do but I am starting to make significant forward steps to brining presence as a more regular occurrence into my daily life, as I do this I am aware that there is better flow and purpose to my regular tasks. Thank you Leonne for this reminder.
It’s amazing how the smallest of things are there to support us to see what we are doing to ourselves when we get into rushing mode or are pushing to get things done.
Joseph’s advice of choosing to wear “joyful jumpers, tender trousers and delicate dresses instead of cranky pants” is delicious beyond words. How different that would make our days / lives / the vibe of the world…!!!
Leonne, your post really greated on me. So simple yet so effective. I can see it now…psychologists prescribing their clients with graters and apples, workshops where thousands turn up with apples and graters to learn how to be really great. My advice…invest in apple orchards and food graters….you can’t go wrong!
What a fabulous image I just had reading your comment Rod – it was like a cooking show episode where everyone was remembering their innate ability to do things with love, conscious presence and gentleness instead of stressing about how to make an icicle fire egg wrapped in bacon and stir fried with hand picked berries from Tasmania. It was funny! I think it would be excellent viewing. It is amazing what comes to the surface when I am just present. All of a sudden I feel everything I was trying to avoid. Most of the time I realise it is not so bad after all – or at the very least that I am feeling what I feel anyway so I may as well be aware of it. My pancakes turned out lovely too.
Loved the simplicity of this post Leonne. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Sue – it really is awesome to be reminded that the simplest task can hold the potential for such huge healing. Simplicity is super powerful.
Isn’t it amazing how often we get caught up trying to rush and it all goes wrong… yet when we slow down and stay connected with ourselves, it all falls into place.
I have noticed lately how easy it is for me to fall into rush mode yet it doesn’t actually get me anywhere faster. When I catch myself in that old pattern these days, I just slow down, and make a choice to not be in that mad rush. When I do, I still get to where I am going on time, and I get there feeling calm instead of flustered and racy.
Hi Rosie, yes I too can relate to when I feel the raciness in doing something or trying to get somewhere, that I can simply just allow myself to slow down, come back to me and still get there on time.
So true Rosie. This is something I am noticing more each day too. I seem to sneak into rush mode….before I know it I find that I am suddenly really scattered and trying to complete lots of things at once. It feels so much better to focus on one thing at a time and breathe gently. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Yes Rosie, I too can relate to an old pattern of mine like that. It reminds me of a dog chasing its own tail, going round in circles but not getting anywhere.
An awesome revelation Leonne. I had a similar thing with a carrot just yesterday, bits flying everywhere and then came the STOP. Gently does it and there you go. Magic.
Ah yes – apples, carrots, brussel sprouts – innocent fruit and veg just waiting to help us to learn our lessons. 🙂
Simply beautiful Leonne, such a great reminder for us all to just stay gentle and with ourselves and life flows, simple Medicine for us all.
You are right Rowena – conscious presence really is grate medicine (sorry – couldn’t help myself). I am re-inspired to lovingly grate those apples from now on and continue the healing. 💜🍏💜
So true and so simply said.
Thanks Jonathan.
We are always being reminded that the answers to the most complex things in life are actually simple.
Beautiful Leonne. Even grating an apple can help bring you back to you! Wow! The power of conscious presence… even the smallest things can help you build a life that keeps re-confirming who you are. Thank you for sharing.
Wow Josh – I didn’t write it that way in this blog but you are absolutely right. I focused on how conscious presence made apple grating easy and fun but I can feel now that it could also remind me how lovely I am. Thank you for the added insight.
Great insight here Josh. Even the smallest thing can help you build a life that keeps re-confirming who you are – so true and a timely reminder, thank you.
Aah yes the smallest things revealing themselves as an opportunity to learn so much about our way of being. Splendid to read and reflect on.
So true Lee – thank you. It is wonderful to feel that every moment can present a healing lesson if we allow ourselves to feel where we are at.
It made me laugh Leonne, the way you described the ‘cranky pants’. I feel what you are presenting here is we can actually easily choose joyful jumpers, tender trousers and delicate dresses instead. Grate 🙂
I love your comment Joseph… love ‘joyful jumpers, tender trousers and delicate dresses’ and yes it truly is ‘grate’… haha. 🙂
Ah funny 😀 – thanks Joseph. Yes it is wonderful to know that we can choose what pants to wear! I might have to clear the cranky pants from the wardrobe. Haha.
Leonne, thank you for such a simple but reflective blog, and the awareness you had of the quality in which you grated the apple. I can so relate to your experience! I’ve found that when I am trying to rush things and where there’s a ‘force’/pressure (usually my own!) behind doing something or getting something done, that nothing seems to go right – the task seems to become complicated and it seems no matter how hard I try, it’s difficult to get finished on time and in an effective and efficient manner.
In contrast, the times when I am present with myself and simply focussing on the task at hand (and not the 10 other things I think I should be doing at the same time!), the task has a flow to it, goes much more smoothly, and gets done much more quickly (without the complication and stress). It feels so much nicer in my body when I choose the latter, and I’m also then much more able to go onto the next task that needs to be done, approaching it in the same way.
The big hint for me to let me know when I’m not being present is when complication and stress start to creep in, and then to know that it’s simply a choice to come back to ‘me’ and to being present again…
Thanks for sharing your experience Angela. I find reminding myself of my apple grating experience at work especially helpful. Even the most complicated tasks become simple when I am gentle and present (and if they don’t I know I need help).
I was reminded by the friend who witnessed my driven apple grating that I eventually listened to her only because I ended up cutting my hand on the grater. Prior to that I ordered her “not to show me”. I cut myself chopping a Brussel sprout 2 days ago hmmm still more to learn from fruit and vegetables methinks. 😛
Awesome Leonne, great lessons whilst also making me smile. And, the brussel sprout is a noble, but often maligned, vegetable!