The here and now

It’s the time of year when so many people have either just been on holidays or are lucky enough to still be on them. In Australia, the sun is mostly shining and the beaches beckon. it’s a seductive lifestyle here in Sydney. At my kitchen table where I sit and write this, sun rays are pouring in and I can hear several different bird songs. It’s like a Disney movie out there. Anyone would think the princess is frolicking through a forest somewhere nearby, all skirts a-twirling and hair golden.

That’s what happens you see, I skip straight from where I am right now into some wondrous creation of the imagination that throws up an image of something far, far away. Although this is something I have written about before, I will keep writing about it because it is one of life’s biggest and most ongoing lessons – how do we get back to right here, right now?

Inherent contradictions aside (yes, you guessed it, these moments of presence are completely elusive and constantly changing so therefore it is impossible by definition to truly ‘stay’ in the moment) there are however great benefits to making friends with the here and now, and doing our best to stay attuned to what’s really going on around us.

If I were to first discuss the easy pickings, the here and now is what we actually have. THIS is where it’s at. HERE is where you are. Naturally therefore if you can fully experience the present, and your own place in space, you are already feeling a bit more whole than you were a second ago.

There are two ways that are very simple to experience this paradigm shift instantaneously. One of them is simply to breathe in and out. This takes you straight to the body and the life force your breath carries and perpetuates.

The second is gratitude. If you are able to look around you and hear what sounds are being made organically in your environment (or silence if that’s what you’ve got), just the process of tuning in delivers a sense of awareness, and often some stillness and connection as well. I can be grateful for the chair I sit on, and that provides the awareness that I have a chair to sit on. Ditto with table. Ditto with health/life/a dollar, or whatever you happen to have.

Sounds basic, right? Now let’s do a little experiment. How many days this week do you think you have actually for one whole moment been fully aware of your here and now? For me, probably three. And they were all whilst meditating. And maybe one, just before when I started writing this post. To bring that kind of dynamic awareness into your daily life is a very powerful habit.

I dare you, no – I double dare you, to give this a try even once today. See how it goes. Feel any different?

I know I do. Thank you dear readers for reminding me to remind you of these infinitesimal beauties. It’s good cheap fun.

Toodle-oo for now, and let me know how you go!