"Forever is composed of nows."
I am all about being connected to those who are in my presence. I love people. Being engaged and present has always been a strength of mine, at least that's what my friends say. So, why do I have this need to hit the reboot button and make being present to the moment my New Year's intention for 2010?
So often, our ever-advancing world of technology steals us away from the present. If you have a smart phone, you know what I'm talking about. Facebook and email come and get me all the time (ding dong, ding dong). Brad says I'm a "bit" ADD at times. I'm sure he's right (he is a psychologist, you know). How often do we let our cell phones, emails or text messages steal "present" moments away from us?
In addition to our instant technology keeping us ever-present to it, as women, we are multi-taskers by nature. I revel at my friend, Lara, who can clean her home and watch her kids all the while she's talking to me on the phone. I may multi-task well but I can't talk, listen and do chores at the same time.
If I'm honest with myself, it's not all my iPhone's fault or the fact that I've been raised as a multi-tasking woman. My thoughts often distract me from the present moment, too.
Things that distract me from being present to the moment:
· Email and Facebook
· My sometimes thoughts of being less than or the converse of being too much - oh the dichotomy.
· Borrowing worry
· My ever-increasing to-do list
I need to be present to the moment. I long for the simplicity of it. Mother Teresa practiced being present, why can't I? I know I get the irony. She's been quoted, "I believe in person to person...that person is the one person in the world at that moment".
In our oh-so-busy lives, when do we take the time to be truly present? We have so much going on each moment, so many places to be, and so many things to do. Being present is becoming increasingly more difficult.
Being present is a discipline of the mind and soul. It is something that takes practice and cultivation. Will you join me in the practice of being present. I dare you to BE PRESENT for fifteen minutes each day over the next week. Be intentional and choose these times before they happen.
Live Free,
Cindy
Powerful Questions to Ponder:
What does "being present" mean to you?
What can you do to cultivate the practice of being present into your life?
What keeps you from being present to the moment?
What's on your list of things that distract you from being present?
Where would you like to be more "present" this week?
