August Greetings!
Summer has gone by very fast for me this year. Between juggling kids summer camp schedules, swim meet schedules, media interview schedules, client schedules, my husband's travel schedule, my nanny's schedule and my own schedule, it's been an 'all engines on' summer.
Of course it's also been an exciting summer. From launching my book in New York early June to hitting the Amazon Best Seller list mid July (mind-body-health books) to my first TV interview, there has been a lot of 'firsts' to celebrate. (If you're interested in watching that interview follow this link).
The thing is though, I've been so busy, so pre-occupied with everything and everyone, I haven't "made" the time to celebrate.
'Til yesterday!
So what happened yesterday and what has that got to do with you?
Why, I'm so glad you asked! ;)
Yesterday, I had my four children home for the day - no camps, no swim meets - and I decided to take them to a wonderful park nearby. I packed an afternoon snack and told them to wear 'paddling clothes' and off we set.
As we were driving there I noticed some light rain coming down. By the time we arrived the rain had got heavier. Since there was a thick canopy of trees overhead I decided we'd continue on our little adventure. So off we set down the track toward the creek and then beyond that to the Potomac River which runs down through DC.
When we got down to the Potomac we opened our picnic and just sat there watching the river flow by. After awhile my oldest, Lachlan, decided to venture in for a paddle. The others soon followed (as did mum!).
Our feet got all muddy, our clothes were all damp and the rain trickled down all over our faces. We just waded around, skipping stones and passing the time of day. When we saw some lightening on the horizon we decided to call it quits and make for dry land.
As the kids waded out of the river, their wet smiling faces and bright eyes looking up at me, I realized that THIS WAS IT. This was life. This was my life. My one, my only, life and these days of having four young children (aged 4 thru 9) would be passing by so fast that one day all that would remain of their childhood would be memories. For them and for me.
In that moment I didn't wish for them to stay the age they are now forever. I didn't wish for them to grow into fine adults. I didn't wish to be a better mother. I didn't wish for my husband to be there. I didn't wish for anything. I just watched their wonderful faces, their beautiful smiles and tried to take a photograph in my mind that would hold that moment forever.
And what I really "got" at that moment with muddy feet and wet clothes, was that all that ever matters is our ability to be present fully in whatever moment we have and to ever we are sharing that moment with. I also became present to how much, over the last few months, I have not been fully present in the moment.
So in that moment yesterday I got to let go of everything that usually clogs my mind and to celebrate life. I got to leave behind all the wishes and fears and plans and regrets and doubts and worries that too often pre-occupy my busy mind and, as the rain came gently down, just completely enjoy the moment.
Nothing all summer long has been more special.
Ultimately I think letting go of all that keeps us from being present in the moment takes great courage. I know it does for me (and which is why I dedicated an entire chapter to it in my book). It requires courage because it means putting your faith in the wisdom that created you and trusting that within you is all that you need at any moment to take on the challenges that life presents to you.
The irony is that letting go doesn't impede your ability to achieve your goals and dreams, it enhances it. By being present in the moment we become more powerful in shaping the future. As Thich Naht Hanh wrote, "By taking care of the present we take care of the future".
We can look back on the past - with delight or regret. We can look toward the future - with excitement or apprehension. But it's how we experience the moment we are in right now - for all that it is and for all that it isn't - is all that ever truly counts.
So on that note I invite you to take a minute for yourself right now. A minute to reflect on what you could be letting go of and, in doing so, creating space to live more fully in the moment of "now" (which, together with every other moment of "now" makes up the sum total of your experience in life).
Here are a few questions to reflect on:
What is on your mind today that is keeping you from being present at this moment?
What do you need to let go of that will make you more available to experiencing a deeper sense of joy and gratitude for your life and in your life?
How might that enrich your experience of life?
Where could you trust more deeply in yourself that you have everything you need within you to take on whatever challenges lay ahead?
Who is it that you care about who would benefit from you giving them the gift of your full undivided presence?
And how might that, in turn, be a gift to yourself?
Being present in the moment is not about giving up your plans and dreams and spending your days smelling the roses whilst humming peace mantras. It's simply about cultivating mindfulness. It's about deepening your self-awareness and, with that, noticing when your mind begins being pulled into the pit of worry and doubt and anxiety about things over which you have no control.
Put simply, mindfulness begins by noticing when you are not being mindful.
It's not something that you just decide on once and then, shaboom, that's it - you are forever mindful (believe me, I know!). Rather its an ongoing practice that you commit to. Sometimes two steps forward, one step back. Or, as has been for me of late, one step forward, two steps back. Such is life.
You know, they call the present the present for a reason.
Because it is one.
Very precious.
To be treasured, savored and experienced fully.
