It has been my goal in the past few months to live more mindfully. More in the now. More present. To really BE in the moment given to me at any one time and accept all of life as it comes.
I have to say, it’s not easy. Let me rephrase – it’s REALLY hard. My mind loves to play. LOVES to be in the past, then in the future, then in la la land, then back to the past. It never ceases to amaze me how fast my mind moves from one thought to another. It’s entertaining to say the least.
But there are two experiences that made me acutely aware of just how much my mind likes to be one step ahead.
1) When you are eating dinner, do you look for the next bite as you are chewing your previous one? I know I do. As I am masticating my food, I am forming my next perfect forkful. A little bit of the peas, a little potato. No, more potato. There perfect. *BITE*. Ok now I want just peas. *BITE*. I give very little thought to the food inside my mouth except to determine what my tongue wants next.
2) When I am meeting someone for the first time my brain is going a hundred miles per hour. What does she/he think of me? Is my hair ok? Should I introduce myself or wait to be introduced? Oh gosh I bet she/he is going to ask me a million times how to say my name. Should I make a joke about it? Wow she/he said it right! Now what? Should I talk about the weather? Etc etc. By the time the conversation ends I (sadly) realize I did not catch one word she/he said. I was so busy planning out my next move I didn’t even catch her/his name!
I can list so many other scenarios where I am caught blatantly not in the moment. Leaving my drink on top of my car because I am too worried about catching traffic. Walking into a room and forgetting why I was there in the first place because I was distracted by my phone. Or how about realizing two paragraphs into a book that I didn’t understand a thing because I was thinking about lunch.
What is our obsession with the next moment? Why do we focus so much time on the NEXT? Here’s a small challenge for you – sit down at your next meal and instead of worrying about your next bite, set your fork down and put your unconditional attention to the food currently in your mouth. What is the texture? The temperature? Observe how awesome it is that your mouth knows how to eat without your mind interfering. What does your tongue do? How many bites does it take to completely consume your food? How does it feel sliding down your throat? I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised how much more enjoyment you will get out of your meal.
As for me? Well, living mindfully is definitely my top priority! No doubt it will take a lifetime to fully appreciate how wonderful and perfect the present moment is.
As for me? Well, living mindfully is definitely my top priority! No doubt it will take a lifetime to fully appreciate how wonderful and perfect the present moment is.
Namaste.
I do the same thing with food…I love it so much…it's like I can't get enough or something! How much better would meals be if I enjoyed each and every bite?! I'm the same way as you with people too. Another place I need to be present and keep myself relaxed is in the car. I'm always in a hurry…even when I'm not late…Good post!
Oh man. I started reading this post while scanning my email, thinking about my to-do list, and looking at the blinking "message" light on my phone. Once I was halfway through I decided to go back to the beginning and actually focus on what you were writing and how it might relate to my life…. I am definitely in need of a mindfulness/in the moment lesson!
yes, yes this is me. I am so distracted and moment hoping these days. Thank you for this reminder.
I love mindfulness; it adds so much more life and joy to things. The same things have definitely happened to me with meals & meeting new people. Def going to step up my level of mindfulness.
Oh, I was hoping you had all the answers on how to live in the moment… it IS hard! A great post though on how to start with at least one bite, thanks.
My goodness you left a very profound post for us. You are so right about always moving to the next thing and not appreciating what the current has to hold. It is a goal of mine as well, I will look forward to reading your steps and I will post mine on my blog as well. Namaste friend!Meg (KissMyStyle)
Perfectly lovely Teeg! I'm going to enjoy every bite – and sip – today! Thanks for the reminder!
Right on! I'm so guilty of the daydreaming-about-my-next-forkful-of-food when I'm still eating the first bite. My other bad habit is opening 45848 tabs in my internet browser instead of focusing on one site at a time.
This is definitely something I'm working on as well! I'm going to have to try to be more mindful when eating tomorrow. I'm terrible about eating while watching TV or on the computer
This is definitely something I'm working on as well! I'm going to have to try to be more mindful when eating tomorrow. I'm terrible about eating while watching TV or on the computer