Confession time-I watched my first live football match recently, something I had never done before.
While growing up, I never felt much interest in sport. As a nerdy and book loving person, my life revolved around studies and day dreaming. The idea of sitting in a stadium, surrounded by thousands of cheering fans, belonged to another world.
In recent years, I have also found myself less comfortable with loud noises and crowded spaces. Too much sound or movement can feel overwhelming now. Maybe it is perimenopause, or simply the natural slowing down that comes with middle age. So when the idea of going to a football match came up, I was hesitant.
But my kids love the game and I wanted to share their excitement, to see what they see and feel what they feel. I am so glad I went along with them.
The streets on the match day felt like a carnival. The excitement and energy were palpable in the air as we entered the stadium. There was never a dull moment once the match started, thousands of people breathing, moving and reacting together. Every time there was a chance of a goal, the entire crowd would stand up at once. The continuous chants, collective gasps and the burst of celebrations were not just noise, they were energy, life pulsing through the air.
Everyone felt connected through a shared passion for the game. Their race, colour or background didn’t matter at all. Even if you were not a devoted supporter of that particular team, you could still join in the shouting, clapping and cheering with everyone else. Or you could simply sit back and take it all in.
It reminded me that beneath all our external differences, we all are connected by our shared ability to feel joy, to be hopeful and to belong. Also, I realised that bliss does not always come from silence or solitude. It can also be felt through shared experience, through being part of something larger than yourself.
Slow living is not always about retreating from the world. Sometimes it means being fully present in it, being open, observant and connected.
Even in the loudest moments, there can be stillness. And even in a stadium full of strangers, there can be healing.
Perhaps the next time you hesitate to step into a new experience, allow yourself to say yes. You might discover joy, connection or a quiet stillness where you least expect it.
At Samagra Health, we believe healing is found in everyday moments in presence, curiosity, and shared experience.
Take a moment today to notice where life is inviting you to be fully present.