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We usually go through life by rote, barely aware of what's happening in the moment unless it's a new experience. We pay attention when learning a new task or following directions to a new location or when someone special enters the room. Some of us spend a lot of time focused on the past. We continue to wish for the good times we used to have, or we "what if" and re-do in our minds the situation or problems that caused us to be in the current predicament. Others are focused on the future. We can't "wait until", we plan how we'll "do", "have" or "be" in the future when things are the way we want. While we're busy multi-tasking we may short-change ourselves and others by not being fully present. We don't hear each other completely; we miss the nuances and opportunities to make connections and prevent misunderstandings. It's important to remember the experiences of the past; to celebrate great times and learn from times that weren't so great. It's also important to have goals and make plans for the future. It's also crucial to remember we're living in the present so moments don't pass by us with little or no notice because the focus is primarily on the past or the future. Do you really taste the sweetness in the strawberry? Do you feel the love in the hug from a friend? Did you hear the joy in your child's voice at the discovery of something new? Do you smell the ocean breeze first thing in the morning? Do you say thank you for the compliment you're given and acknowledge to yourself that someone has found you helpful, polite, caring, sensitive, capable, pleasant, attractive, competent, considerate? When are you least present, least aware? When are you most fully present, most fully aware? Give yourself and others a gift. Spend a few minutes each day completely in the moment, focused on the people and experience at hand. Continue to increase the amount of time you spend in the moment, fully aware, each day. Eventually, this will become something you do by rote, and yet are aware of. |