Here & Now: Present in The Present
One day a couple of weeks ago, I conducted a 7-hour mediation, zipped into my office for an hour, and then picked up my son from home before driving through the snow to his hockey game. I sat down on the couch at the end of the day at almost midnight. This is one of many such examples where the day seems to be spent travelling from one place to the next until, before I know it, it's over. Sound familiar?
I love my work, my family, this Canadian weather and, of course, hockey, but with all the rushing around in life, being present and in the moment is becoming more and more challenging. At times like these, I need to remind myself to stop looking ahead to the next thing, and keep my feet firmly planted in the here and now.
Being present is one of the themes I talk about in mediation – the acute awareness of being physically and mentally present, connected, and open to movement and persuasion. I find that parties that are able to commit themselves to being focused on only the issues at hand will have better and more satisfying outcomes than those who excuse themselves for a quick call or spend the mediation cranking out unrelated emails.
Don’t get me wrong – remaining present is a constant struggle as I try to balance professional obligations, family, friends, and my health, but that doesn’t mean I stop trying. Here are a few tips I employ to help me stay present:
Don’t Fear Full: It could be that there are some things in your life that you should shed, but don’t think you need to do less to be present. A full schedule that can sometimes feel overwhelming is also a smorgasbord of experiences and opportunities. Rather than skipping the things that you love to do, urge yourself to really enjoy them when you do get the chance. Do it all, and do it well.
Plan Ahead: Many things in life can’t be planned for, which is all the more reason to prepare for the things you can. If part of your struggle stems from feeling like you’re constantly squeezing in to-do list items, try planning them in advance. Eliminate some of the stress that can draw you away from the present by knowing you have a plan. Set it, and forget it.
Grow Your Wealth: Think of your experiences as wealth. Moments lost to stress or distraction may be lost earnings, but they don’t take away from what you’ve already deposited. The more you are able practice presence, the richer your experience bank.
Practice Makes Present: Don’t get down on yourself when you realize you’ve been pulled from the present; instead, take a moment to regroup and refocus. The more you integrate a habit of presence into your routine, the easier it will come.
With the joy of the holidays and the New Year ahead, let's try to focus on the present and experience every day. From my frantic world to yours, dig in!
