Standing in front of a sink,
Taking a deep breath in through the nose and out through the nose.
Repeating,
Taking another breath in and out.
Watching as your hand reaches for the faucet handle.
As your fingers touch the faucet handle,
Notice how it feels.
Describe how it feels to yourself.
Is it cold or warm?
Is the handle smooth or does it have ridges?
What material is it made of?
And what materials does it feel similar to?
Consider all of these questions as your hand turns the faucet handle.
Then,
Taking your attention to the water pouring out of the faucet head,
Noticing the sound of the water,
Noticing how the water looks as it falls from the faucet.
Reaching your hands under the flowing water,
Noticing the temperature and the power of the running water.
Returning your hand to the faucet handle and paying attention to the amount of effort and strength required to turn off the water.
Does it take minimal effort?
Or does it take more effort than you expected?
Reaching both hands to the soap dispenser,
Pushing down on the dispenser and watching the soap gush into your hand.
Or,
Reaching toward the bar of soap,
Picking it up into your hands,
Noticing the weight,
The texture,
And how it glides between your hands before slowly and carefully setting the bar of soap back down.
Rubbing your hands together,
Feeling the soap lather,
And seeing the bubbles multiply.
Slowly reaching once again for the faucet handle,
Taking note of how much effort is required to turn the handle now with soap on your hand.
Is it still smooth and easy?
Or does it require more energy?
Letting go of labeling either experience with turning the water on as good or bad.
Slipping both hands under the water,
Noticing the soap bubbles wash away,
Running down your fingers and into the sink and down the drain.
Seeing your hand reaching for the last time toward the faucet handle as you turn the water off,
Revisiting how the handle feels.
Is it warm or cold?
Does it feel any different?
Or does it feel the exact same as it did from the last time you touched it?
As you dry your hands,
Notice how the towel or paper towel feels against your skin,
Making an effort to dry between each of your fingers and noticing how that feels.
Taking a few moments to reflect on how it felt to mindfully wash your hands.
