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Category: Being Present

Normal and Nonspecific Moments

Published on May 29, 2023

This weekend, I had the great pleasure of looking through my grandmother’s personal photo albums which included never before seen pictures of my dad, grandmother, grandfather, aunts, uncles, and various other associated parties.

In fact, it was just this weekend that I saw baby pictures of my dad—something I had never seen prior.

It struck me how grateful I was that those pictures were taken, collected, and saved.

And what I found most interesting was how much was coming back to my dad and uncle that they, just then, thought to share—things that I suspect would’ve never resurfaced otherwise. Memories that needed that trigger of a picture—taken during what would’ve been, I imagine, seemingly normal and nonspecific moments in time—to be revived in their minds.

…Moments that I, in my life, constantly question for validity and worth.

Like, why capture this moment? Why now? Why not in the next moment? Why not stay present and as aware of the moment as I can—minus the thought of how to best capture it? How to know what’ll serve the most long term value—capturing or thoroughly soaking in?

What I don’t know is how to answer those above questions.

What I do know is that, like my dad and uncle, there are countless memories laying buried in dark corners of my mind that need but a picture to be excavated and revived…

And no picture was taken.

Don’t Force The Pen

Published on April 19, 2023

Oftentimes, my best writing comes from situations when I’m not thinking about writing (or what to write) at all.

I just open myself up to new experiences, new people, new perspectives, etc… and let curiosity guide the pen across my mind.

Inner work prompt: How long have you been following the same general routine? When was the last time you were uncharacteristically spontaneous? Can you do or plan something now?

Recognizing the Dream in the Moment

Published on April 16, 2023

“I dream of days like this…”

…Was said to me by an older gentlemen I play basketball with.

It was the first outdoor game of the season. It was sunny, seventy, calm (no wind)—and filled with the type of meditative chaos that 15 guys playing basketball would bring.

And it wasn’t until he said it that I realized… I, too, was in the midst of a moment that I dreamed of during the long, depressing, wintry-mix months that dominate Buffalo weather.

And all-of-a-sudden, I started receiving the day from a whole new perspective.

P.s. In case you missed it, you can read the best of what I posted to MoveMe Quotes last week, here.

Beginner Presence

Published on March 31, 2023

There is an intimate connection between learning something new and presence.

Lately, I’ve been finding myself entering deep, meditative-type states when doing tasks that are completely novel to my normal routine.

I’ve been learning new martial art styles, playing organized basketball, doing Baptiste yoga… and in each situation find that because I have to hyper focus on the minutiae, my mind empties of all other thoughts.

When I’m carefully coordinating strikes with blades in my hands, or trying to read the defense as I lead an offensive play on the court, or try and move my body in accordance with a class of perfectly in-sync seemingly preprogrammed yoga robots… it’s as though there isn’t enough computing room for anything else.

  • I can’t strike precisely AND think about business stats.
  • I can’t dribble or shoot accurately AND think about people problems.
  • I can’t yoga flow AND worry about upcoming events.

It’s when I’m in that fully immersed space, as a beginner, where I’m able to keenly focus on what’s happening, where I am, through all of my senses. Which, coincidentally, leaves me in a much better place to handle whatever was on my mind before as it gives my brain a rest, a recharge, and a boost into the rest of the day.

Would recommend.

A Flip Of The Switch

Published on January 31, 2023

I started meditating a whole lot more once I stopped trying to do it perfectly.

What I realized is that a quiet corner, meditation pillow, and chunk of uninterrupted time aren’t required.

What’s required is an intention. Period.

Now, I meditate while walking, driving, waiting in lines, you name it…

What the intention does is declare to your mind that you’re now entering a different way of being. Without it, your mind will unconsciously continue to rambunctiously act non-meditatively—as it always does.

It’s like flipping a mind switch.

Once that switch is turned on and the light of your consciousness turns inward, you can begin to notice the urges that come up (that try to break you away from your meditation/presence), and focus on returning to your practice for as long as you may.

And suddenly, once you realize that a flip of the switch is all that’s required, meditation goes from another task you try to stressfully add to your already busy day—to an easily-intertwined-throughout-your-whole-day kind of task.

There are so many applications for this strategy in life.

P.s. When I do sit down to meditate, I use brain.fm to filter out invasive external noises. I’m a raving fan and currently on a 20-week use streak.

Lung Access

Published on January 26, 2023

Dear busy person,

Before you check your phone throughout the day, commit to taking a long, deep breath first. Remind yourself that you are more than your notifications. That your phone is there to serve you; not enslave you. That being calm and centered is available to you in each moment—in each breath—just as the internet is (worth acknowledging the weight of that statement). You just have to choose lung access instead of always defaulting immediately to thumb access.

Sincerely,

Your inner work person

Ego vs Self Presence

Published on October 23, 2022

Not all presence is created equal.

The goal is to be present with the Self in charge—so we can:

  • Feel our feelings
  • Embrace fleeting moments
  • Free ourselves from overthinking

The goal is NOT to be present with Ego in charge. It turns our present focus into obtaining:

  • Immediate desires
  • Comfort zones
  • Excuses

Ego presence burdens our future self. Self presence sends our future self beautiful gifts.

P.s. In case you missed it, you can read the best of what I posted to MoveMe Quotes last week, here.