In this moment

Being in the moment is no easy task. It almost seems that we are programmed to think ahead, formulate our plan for what is next, or automatically anticipate future actions. Our world moves so quickly and we attend to so many different stimuli (such as phones, fitness trackers, tablets, computers….) that is can feel seemingly impossible to NOT multi-task. Are we better for this?

Most of my clients would say no. Doing more with less isn’t the answer. But being in the moment is just so hard. I think back to January and the enormous Blizzard that paralyzed the Washington, DC area. Despite knowing the storm was coming, we still were unprepared. The first few days were novel–so much snow, spending family time together, and having the excuse to indulge. However, as time progressed and the plows did not come, what was once novel became a sense of being trapped. Where we might have enjoyed some of the moments we had, we now felt that we only had to escape them. Our focus was now on the future–when would we leave our houses? When would school resume? What about work demands?

Modern life makes being in the moment even more challenging. It seems that to begin with a small step (just like every journey does) and setting reasonable goals. The idea of achieving “perfect mindfulness” (if there even is such a thing) looks impossible, but the idea of having a daily MOMENT of mindfulness seems attainable.  What might mindfulness look like? Like many things, it is what it needs to be to the person experiencing it.