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August Zen? Living in the Moment

Written by: Karen Kelloway

Article Overview: This time of year, many of us are either awaiting a vacation, just back from one, or can’t remember when we last took one. It’s easy to feel conflicted. You can almost hear the voices in people’s heads: Why am I here? I should be enjoying the last rays of sun! How can I enjoy my vacation when my desk looks like this? Why can’t we be like the Europeans and take the summer off? Are you feeling that inner conflict? My challenge to you is to begin to notice what it’s like to live in the moment. Read on...

August Zen? Living in the Moment

Have you enjoyed your summer? How about this moment? Are you simultaneously rattling off all the things you need to get done while skimming this article? Or, have you intentionally declared to yourself that you will take these few minutes to enjoy some inspired reading?

I’ve been re-reading Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth. It’s all about living in the Now. Tolle believes that if we are living in the present we are in a state of acceptance, enjoyment or enthusiasm. Living in the present moment is the most effective way to deal with challenges. To illustrate this point, Tolle gives the example of being stuck in the mud. We have to accept that we are stuck in the mud before we can actually start to strategize about how to get out. Until we accept the reality of the situation, we’ll just stay stuck.

Which reminds me of a story…

I was sitting in my chiropractor’s office with my seven-month old daughter, Gabrielle. A woman came over to sit by us so she could see her. “I just love babies,” she said. “Let me have a look at her.” I usually don’t mind this. Gabrielle loves to converse with just about anybody and most people seem happier and lighter after talking to her. But this woman was different. From the moment she sat down, the woman grabbed Gabrielle’s hand, looked into her eyes, and then started repeating, “Oh, they grow up so fast. My grandson is already ten. They grow up so fast. They grow up so fast.” She said this over and over, sounding more and more panicked, until I actually looked at the woman to see if she was having some sort of breakdown. But she wasn’t. She was just living in what Tolle would describe as a completely unconscious state of being. Her initial intention was to experience the feeing of joy that comes from talking to a baby, but instead she experienced a feeling of doom and gloom; a panic that life passes by too quickly.

She completely missed the moment.

In August many of us are either awaiting a vacation, just back from one, or can’t remember when we last took one. It’s easy to feel conflicted. You can almost hear the voices in people’s heads: Why am I here? I should be enjoying the sun! How can I enjoy my vacation when my desk looks like this? Why can’t we be like the Europeans and take the summer off?

My challenge to you is to begin to notice what it’s like to live in the moment. Are you experiencing acceptance, enthusiasm or enjoyment in your life?

Those of you who play golf will get this quickly. You’re much less likely to hit a good shot when your mind is racing in all directions. To hit a good shot, you need to focus. And to hit really great shots, you need to be completely in the moment. I find wiggling my toes helps. Try it. Whether you’re on a golf tee or at your desk, there isn’t room for a lot of mindless chatter when you’re wiggling your toes.

Questions for Reflection…

If you’re on vacation – enjoy it. Start thinking about all the reasons you are enjoying it. Then enjoy it some more. Many people get their best ideas when they’re on vacation.

If you’re in the office or at a meeting and you’d rather be golfing – accept it. Then try some of these questions…

1. What do you enjoy about the work you are doing?

2. What do you appreciate about the people you work with?

3. What is it that you want to contribute?

4. How are you acknowledging yourself and others?

5. What small thing can you do right now that is in alignment with your greater goals?

And if none of those questions get you back in the moment – wiggle your toes.

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Article Tags: babies, challenges, chiropractor, daughter gabrielle, doom and gloom, eckhart tolle, few minutes, having some sort, initial intention, living in the present moment, mud, new earth, unconscious state



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