Have you ever been stuck in traffic and wished you could just teleport to work? How about stuck in line at the grocery store with 3 more stops to make after this and a deadline for getting dinner on the table before you have to take the kids to soccer? When everyone lives such a busy life and is moving from one thing to the next, with their mind 5 steps ahead trying to ensure they forget anything, it’s hard to remember to enjoy where we’re at.
While you’re sitting in traffic, thinking frustrated thoughts about how your commute takes up time in an otherwise busy day, you’re missing the kindness of a teenage boy offering an old lady his arm to help her across the street. Going through that mental checklist of all of the stops you’re on your way to next as you begrudgingly wish the cashier could just scan a little bit faster, you’re missing the comforting smells of warm bread that was just pulled out of the oven in the bakery, the baby laughing at the groceries disappearing into bags as if it’s magic, the genuine care in the well wishes given as people part. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that you can’t be in two places at once and that holds just as true when we’re talking about trying to be in the present moment when you’re busy living in your head.
We’re all guilty of it, at various points throughout our days and lives. We forget where we are, how simple things can be, all of the good around us that we can be grateful for, and we get lost in our worries, our fears, our lists of things to do. Then of course it feels like it’s been a tough day, or a long day, or a stressful day – it’s not going to feel like a good one unless you take the time to seek out, focus on and appreciate the beautiful things around you!
I find strength in catching myself getting lost amongst the chaos and redirecting my attention to the things I’m grateful for. Each time I accomplish it with success, it feels like a little magic trick. Suddenly, a shift. Perhaps the shift was just in my perspective but the differences it made rippled through my day, my body, my emotions. We all spend a lot of time in life trying to control the things we can when we have this magical little wand tucked away inside our head and we just need to embrace the idea of using it.
“That’s the power of the pause button” my therapist’s voice echos in the back of my head each time I’m about to kick into reaction mode instead of responding to the situation. We can pause and take a step back, honestly evaluate if we need to look at things differently. Just because the world around you is going so fast, doesn’t mean your mind needs to keep up that pace. Pause and appreciate the moment. Take a deep breath. Slow your mind. Find a reason to smile. And be patient with yourself, we’re all still learning.
Much love, until next time.
Madeline May I... 