By Amanda Jewel DeJong
“Live in the moment.”
We have all heard this worn-out line repeatedly, but when was the last time we actually did it? I mean truly practiced it, without reservation? This piece of advice, if embraced, has the potential to improve our physical, mental and all-around well-being, yet it remains consistently overlooked. To be inspired to understand this concept to its fullest extent, all one has to do is find the nearest child and observe!
Case in point, a few days ago I was delightedly inspired to make Snickerdoodle cookies for my two-year old. I told her I wanted to show her my favorite way to eat them, so I poured two glasses of ice-cold milk and meticulously picked out four plump cookies to split, then set them on our table as we both eagerly sat to enjoy them. I will admit that I had envisioned her immediately reaching for them and attempting to eat before my instructions were complete. Yet, to my great amazement, she instead sat completely still, hands placed delicately in her lap as her dark brown eyes watched my every move in eager anticipation. It was as if she was beholding one of the most important moments of her life and hung on every second.
I couldn’t help but smile as I broke off a chunk of cookie and dipped it into the milk. I gobbled up the morsel while attempting to explain the rules of this time-honored tradition. Then I informed my patient child it was now her turn to try. I watched as her eyes became fixed upon the feast laid out before her. With the grace and agility of a dignified little lady, my toddler picked one up and examined the sugarcoated beige circle. Turning it over in her tiny fingers, she slowly brought it to her nose and over-dramatically proceeded to take in its aroma. “Mmm, it smells good!” she informed me as she set it down gently just before breaking off a small piece. She smoothly transitioned it into the liquid, brought the section to her mouth and methodically began chewing with patience rarely found. “Mmm, this is delicious!” she proclaimed, slightly fumbling over the last word as sheer enjoyment radiated from her core.
As I watched in admiration, I was embarrassed to notice both of my own cookies had been devoured before her second bite had even been taken.
I was so eager to eat them that I ended up practically inhaling them instead and can honestly say that although I noticed their delicious flavor, I was too busy getting the next bite to my mouth to fully enjoy them. I continued to sit dumbfounded, realizing I had thought I was teaching something to my daughter, yet somewhere along the way, I ended up the student. It dawned on me that all the while I had missed the real point to this timeless ritual passed down from parent to child. What she taught me was what it means to be mindful.
I was reminded again on the day of my son’s birth. Here I was in a room full of people admiring my little bundle of joy. Everyone was snapping pictures left and right, texting family and friends and joyously spreading the news. They would tell me to smile or hold him this way or that as I did my best to comply with all of their requests. At one point, my father-in-law looked around the room and let out a hearty laugh. He said that just a decade before this would never have happened. He reminded us of how technology has changed us all so much that instead of enjoying where we are at any given time, we are instead trying desperately to “capture the moment.”
To this, we looked around the room, almost ashamed to have our cell phones in hand as the words “I’m sorry” and “I’ll put it away” erupted from my guests. I sat dumbfounded for a moment, as it dawned on me that I too had been wrapped up in the chaos. Born almost an hour earlier, I had yet to truly admire the boy that lay sleeping in my arms. To take a private moment to feel his skin, breathe in his scent and memorize the curvature of his face. It was time to get back to basics, turn off the technology and be mindful with my son.
Living in the Moment
So, what does it truly mean to be mindful? It is simple really. All it entails is for us to be completely aware of what is happening to and around us. It is literally being present in the current time and space or more commonly called “living in the moment.” The concept seems to be a rare occurrence for all of us in our current society, but it holds the key to heath and happiness. It means paying complete attention to the task at hand and no longer being distracted in any way.
This act of being present is such a simplistic concept, yet sadly most of us miss it completely on a daily basis.
We have been conditioned to multitask. To immediately draw conclusions and anticipate a perceived outcome at all times. If we are doing anything that may be considered mundane in the slightest we immediately disconnect from the experience and focus on something “more important.” If what we are going through is sad or painful in any way, we immediately push it away in attempt to cope. When in truth, we are supposed to go through all emotions. Our minds, bodies and souls are designed to do just that!
So I ask, when was the last time you played with your children totally unabashedly? Not thinking about what other people may say, chores that needed to be done, what to add to your shopping list and or what you should be doing instead. When was the last time you have bitten into a piece of fruit and savored the flavor, texture and enjoyed the experience to its fullest extent? If we were able to attain this state of being, all of life would be more enjoyable. Imagine the way we would then eat, bathe, play, and make love. No longer would it be in manic anticipation to have had the experience but rather in phenomenal ecstasy as it is currently unfolding. This would be the very definition of the word sensational. Imagine how much richer the coveted experience of life would be to those of us with the ability to embrace it.
The truth and irony of it all is that we are doing what we should. In any given moment, we are exactly where we should be. Therefore it is imperative that we not get caught up in thinking about something else. Chores will always be there. Work is never done and there will continue to be one more thing on a “To Do” list to accomplish. The secret is in this knowledge, and in learning how to accept these facts and instead focus on the present and “live in the moment.”
Amanda Jewel DeJong holds a degree in Holistic Healthcare with emphasis in Mind/Body Psychology from the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts where she majored in Clinical Hypnotherapy as well as Spiritual Studies. She has been a Licensed Massage Therapist and Body Worker since 2005, is a nondenominational Minister, Reiki Master/Teacher and Transpersonal Life Coach. She is the owner/operator of the Utah based Transformational Therapies where she helps clients to achieve personal goals and all around wellness. Email Amanda at ajewel65@gmail.com.