DAY FIVE—So far, we have covered all the senses but the sense of touch, or as I like to call it….texture.  It is often overlooked when we think of the five of them—but it is no less important.  We are keenly aware of  the “feel” of things.  It dictates what kind of clothes we buy, what we sleep in and on, what we like to eat—-and it has much to do with our sensibilities around what we find aesthetically pleasing.

WHAT FEELS LIKE LOVE TO YOU?

 The love of certain tastes and textures varies widely from person to person and within cultures and around the world. So, do you like your peanut butter smooth or crunchy???

Textures often give us an instant visceral reaction.

How about those times when you went into a Halloween fun house at your elementary school carnival—- and someone  plunged your hand into a cold bowl of gooey mush after you had been blindfolded. Your fingers walked through the slimey, slick stuff while your brain was trying to register the shapes and the textures.  Then you were told it was eyeballs!  That may or may not have been true, but I bet you have never forgotten that one!  It was just a texture thing!

What about the feel of baby skin?  There is nothing as velvety soft as the tiny little arm of a month-old child.  Don’t you love that feeling? 

Think how much love all our senses provide us access to, every day—-our senses are there to serve us, and us alone.  They are miraculous reminders of just how much of a moving miracle WE are, in every moment.

Our senses guide us to our deepest truth—our own personal, essential nature. Our moments of “AH-HA!”, and “YUM!”, and “OOOO-LA-LA!”.   They never fail us, if we pay attention.  And, the great thing about our senses……no one judges us for having them.  Our senses are…..just there—-not liking food that’s spicey, or music that’s loud, or lights that are  bright, or cars that are red.  Our senses will give us a huge thumbs up to a chocolate malt instead of a milk shake or angel hair instead of spaghetti.  We just love what we love…..or not.  Period.

So, in the spirit of “feeling the feeling” here are some of my personal favs:

Air, blowing breezily, on my skin, wind in my hair.

Ironed sheets, so fresh and smooth, as I slide into the bed at night.

Fluffy, warm towels, just out of the dryer—-and me, just out of the shower.

Fresh, grilled corn—hot and buttery, with an added kick of garlic—-chomping down each row, crunching it,  right from the cob. Each kernel provides a sort of sweet explosion in my mouth.   WOW.  That’s a ‘happy’.

I love a wild mixture of flowers and leaves and twigs, arranged in a vase—-smooth tulips, mixed with big, bunchy hydrangeas and their deep, green leaves….with their ragged, pointed edges.

I love the juxtaposition of any thing—smooth and rough—paired together.  Smooth dishes set on a rough-hewn table. Nubby napkins with smooth, old silver rings—patina, glowing with years of character.

I could go on…..and on….and on…but…..it’s your turn.