Jul 14
Don’t Miss the Ride

 

train

Our present moment is a mystery that we are part of.   Here and now is where all the wonder of life lies hidden.   Wayne Dyer

 

There is a story of a young man who traveled across Europe on the Euro Rail, and while on the train he was busy looking at pictures of where he had been or planning for where he was going to visit next. On the final train ride of his journey he looked up from his pictures, books and maps and looked out the window. In that moment he realized he had missed the train ride. He was so busy reminiscing about the past or planning for the future that he had literally missed the ride.

How often do you find yourself missing the moment? We lack the gift of being present because we live in a time when it’s easy to be distracted by devices; preoccupied with the long list of “to dos”; caught in the habit of replaying regrets; or living in false mental stories about the moment.

Wayne Dyer describes our habit of slipping away from the present as living in an attitude of depreciation rather than appreciation. The only way to fully appreciate where we are is to be completely present in the moment.

Here are some daily practices to help you stay in the moment:

  • Morning – In the shower feel the water falling on your head. Face the showerhead and feel each water droplet hit your face. Pay attention to how the water cascades down your body. Cup your hands and see, feel and smell the water as it fills in your hands. Feel the heat from the water as it warms your skin.
  • Noon – Pay attention while you are eating. Feel the food as it touches your lips and grinds against your teeth. Taste every flavor of what you are eating. Chew slowly savoring the food as it is about to nourish your body. Feel the liquid you drink touch your lips, pass your tongue, and flow down your throat into your stomach.
  • Night – Appreciate the people you are with at night. Listen intently to what they are saying. If there is silence “be” with them mentally focusing on all the things you appreciate about them. Go into detail about their best characteristics and send them love with your thoughts.

Pay attention to the details of the moment and experience presence so you don’t miss the ride.

 

 

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