Waking Up in a Busy World: Don't Hold Your Breath As You Step Into Life

This is the most valuable moment. Why? Because it is the only moment.

Eckhart Tolle

Hmm! The following came to me as I was listening to Eckhart Tolle's video on the present moment (see link below).

We are always looking for the big moments up ahead aren't we? We overvalue that moment up there (in our heads only) and devalue the present moment we can actually experience. We do not see that life isn't just about the big moments, or the future ( which can only be a mental projection...never real) ...infact most of life is about the little moments we overlook:

Sitting at the table in the morning, while the sun is streaming in and sipping on hot tea, feeling the cup warming the palms of the hand, tasting the tea, experiencing the swallowing of it, the warmth in the belly.
Taking a shower, feeling the streams of water on parts of the body that are seldom exposed, the smell of shampoo or soap, the relaxing heat, the sound of water hitting the tub
Washing dishes in the sink , listening to the gentle clanging, feeling the warm bubbly water on the hands, the appearance of the plate or cup, or fork emerging from the water covered in bubbles. The gentle wiping of it, rinsing, putting it down gently
Talking to someone...or should I say listening. Just watching them as they talk, the expression on their face, the look in their eyes, the sound of their voice, the emotion in it...paying attention to the content of that speech, more importantly attempting to see beyond it as we ask, "What does this person really want me to hear?" Feeling whatever emotion that arises in us as we listen and feeling the connection...knowing that whatever is in them, beyond all the apparent differences, is in us.
Throwing the stick for the dog. Feeling it leaving the hand and the muscles in the arm and shoulder, that just performed the task, beginning to relax again. Watching the dog run so excitedly toward the stick, catching it and bringing it back, tail happily wagging as she drops it at your feet for you to throw it again. How intent and in the moment she is. The feel of her fur as you bend to pat her head and how she responds. (If she is like my dog...she will back away from the hand so that she or I don't lose focus on what is really important...throwing that stick!)
Just sitting or walking in nature...feeling the sun on your face, hearing the breeze through poplar leaves and the sounds and smells of life around you...looking up at the sky...be it cloudy or clear and seeing the vastness of it...

I could go on and on here...The point is: This is life. This is what I am truly learning life is all about: a series of small ordinary moments.

Too often, much too often, we fail to notice and fully experience these moments because we are intensely trying to get something "done", to reach another moment up there. We don't have time for these small moments in our endless quest for bigger and better moments up ahead. We measure our lives by all the big moments we are attempting to be apart of, the reaching of goals, achievements and destinations and we tramp on, trod over and smother all the real moments on the way to getting there. Sadly, we often look at the moments on the way as being in the way. Wow!

Once we start becoming more mindful, we become more appreciative of the journey than we do of the destination.

Hmm! This came out. Like my entries, my videos, most things I do... it is far from perfect...but it is real. :)

All is well!

don't hold your breath

don't hold your breath and wait for glory

as you take the first step to the end of story

don't overlook, ignore, trod over or smother

this tiny step you take now toward the other

it is in the space between point A and B

that you must awaken and learn to see

that this is your life, right here, right now

embrace this step, accept, allow