I just had lunch!
I think it was good!?!?!
“What?” you ask. “You think it was good??? Are you suffering from short term memory loss? You JUST ate it!”
Well...I have a confession. As I took the last bite of my sandwich, I realized that I had been so focused on finishing some work while I was eating that I wasn’t at all focused on my food.
I didn’t notice the flavor or smell. Was it delicious? I don’t remember. What about the texture; was it crunchy, or soft? I don’t remember. I have no earthly idea how many times I chewed before I swallowed.
You should know something about me; I LOVE to eat! It’s one of my favorite activities. I LOVE bacon and bacon was involved in this meal. And yet…I didn’t give myself the opportunity to experience the meal.
It was a light bulb moment for me. Me…Susan Halaut…who teaches the importance of mindfulness and being present…lost an opportunity to be present and have an experience. It wasn’t a conscious decision. I was on auto-pilot. As someone who is also on a physical journey, creating a body that I am proud of, food is especially something I should be very mindful of. Enjoying and savoring my meal helps me feel satisfied and full, mindful chewing and tasting.
Oh my! Immediately I asked myself, what other things have I missed out on??? What other experiences have I not experienced fully or at all? I mean really…could I not allow myself 15 minutes to experience my meal?
How about you? Have you ever had an experience like this?
I was reminded of a recent FB post I saw about a daycare that posted this letter on their door before pickup…
Why did I feel the need to share this? Am I bashing, judging, criticizing?
No…not at all. I’m reaching out in love. I don’t want you to miss a moment of this amazing thing called LIFE. I don’t want you to miss that first smile or that first step or that bloom or the color of the leaves in the fall, or the art in the window. How many of you have seen people walking down the street with their heads in their cellphones? Are we so “busy” that we are letting beauty, experiences, people, relationships pass us right by?
What if that stranger that just smiled at you as you walked down the street is your soul mate…and you missed the connection?
What if the opportunity that you’ve been waiting for just passed you by because you were focused on something else?
AWARENESS…MINDFULNESS…BEING PRESENT…does it matter? You tell me.
“The mind is like water. When it’s turbulent, it’s difficult to see. When it’s calm, everything becomes clear.” Prasad Mahes
10 Benefits of Mindfulness:
1. Mental clarity
2. Peace of mind
3. Improves health
4. Improves self-esteem
5. Reduces anxiety
6. Improves sleep
7. Reduces stress
8. Increases pleasure and heightens senses
9. Improves and develops relationships
10. Improves concentration
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