What’s the difference between a stereotypical modern day busy person and a monk who both have a day completely full of back-to-back tasks ahead of them?
…Presence within each of the day’s moments.
Take your time.
Slow your mind.
Soak in each moment in full.
Just because you have a busy schedule doesn’t mean you have to be busy minded.
An expression you’ll constantly hear a busy person say is something along the lines of: How is it already [insert day of the week/month/year]?!
…Or some type of otherwise reference to how fast time is flying by.
The good thing about this is that it means that person found a way to spend their time that’s making it fly by… and that maybe they’re even having fun.
On the other hand, it also means that person is on track to feeling like they missed out on their life…
Because days turn into weeks which turn into months which turn into years which turn into… eventually… the end of a life where that person feels like they don’t even know what happened.
And that can feel like an ultimate regret: not being present enough of life while it was happening because they were always too focused on what was coming up next…
The antidote to this is presence.
And present moments are simply moments absorbed that are absent of past or future.
And the best way to describe how to add these to your day is to try and add more moments of boredom… moments (or blocks of time) where you have absolutely nothing planned… moments where you get to simply sit… exist… and notice everything about where you’re at right then and there.
Because as lame or as unimportant as it might feel to you in that moment… it’s the very thing your future self would do or give almost anything to re-experience.
Block more moments of “bored noticing“ into your days.
P.s. ICYMI you can read the best of what I posted to MoveMe Quotes last week here.
I’m learning to be more fluid… more flexible in my approach… more comfortable in the present… even when it overlaps with something I was “supposed” to do.
Because what I’m learning is that what I’m “supposed” to do—at least from an evolved perspective—is be where I am… in whatever form and shape that takes… as fluidly and as comfortably as possible.
Which is why it’s so important to be intentional and deliberate with planning and premeditating. It’s the person who isn’t aligned… isn’t where they’re supposed to be or doing what they’re supposed to be doing… who tightens up… becomes rigid… and crashes, bangs, and ricochets from one task, off the next, and into the one after that.
They aren’t able to be present because they’re never allowing themselves to be where they are. And the way that happens is by not figuring out where that is ahead of time. Which is one fault.
But a second fault, that’s just as important to consider, and is maybe more to my point, is they haven’t done enough reflection or inner work to recognize when moments of serendipity should supersede “supposed to” moments.
…Because there are definitely some moments that are made easier when they’re planned, deliberate, and thought of ahead of time… but there are also unexpected, surprising, serendipitous moments that come up throughout our day that deserve our undivided attention and full presence.
…Today’s message is just that: don’t let your “supposed to” tasks rob you of serendipity—which should always be experienced undivided and in full.
There’s quite possibly going to be a day, at some point in the not so distant future, when you’re going to miss… the busyness.
A day when you’re maybe retired… kids are maybe grown up and living their own independent lives… spouse maybe isn’t around for one reason or another… and you’re sitting by yourself reflecting back on the days when, from morning to night, there was non-stop life.
When there was constant activity… emotional roller coasters… and never enough time to get it all done.
And you’ll be thinking about that while sitting in a living room chair… maybe eating a meal… wondering where all the life activity went.
Today, maybe try and appreciate the busyness of your day for what it is: life being lived. The very life you’re going to reflect back on at some point in your not so distant future. The very life you’re unknowingly rushing fast forward through towards a point that’s going to make you want to come right back.
Today, maybe try being here… with us… right now…
It’s never coming back.
Slowing down is the key to presence. Rushing through moments or experiences makes you miss life.
Slowing down is the key to confidence. Rushing through movement or words is a sign of nerves or inexperience.
Slowing down is the key to connection. Rushing through conversation or time together leaves relationships at the superficial.
Slowing down is the key to introspection. Rushing to your nearest screen in times of boredom leaves your inner landscape unexplored and self-understanding at bay.
Slowing down is the key to creativity and expression. Rushing to fill your calendar and schedule leaves you with no time to settle… to play… to explore… to remix… to build or create…
If you’re looking for a simple strategy that can greatly improve your daily experience… I can’t think of a better strategy than this: slow… the heck… down.
P.s. ICYMI you can read the best of what I posted to MoveMe Quotes last week, here.
I had about one hour of usable time for this post today… and I spent all of it karaoke-ing and dancing in my house, by myself.
It started with car karaoke with a friend, put me onto an old, FIRE playlist that I haven’t listened to in a while, and ended with the above decision vs killing the vibe and staring at a blank screen until words happened.
Here’s the thing that inner work has taught me: if you find yourself in an ideal, ecstatic, overflowing state… then no further work is needed. What more could possibly be done?
…You’ve arrived. You’re living the byproduct of the work. The only thing to do from there is nothing but enjoy.
…Don’t miss the forest for the trees.