Do you simply go through the motions or truly attempt to live each day to the fullest?
The #reverb10 prompt for December 12 was one that at first seemed a little over the top:
This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?
I’ve read a lot of responses to this prompt that it sound like it was too redundant. The thing is, we’ve been in a rush to “catch up” with posts if we’ve fallen behind and we’re always running to get from place to place. We seldom truly enjoy the moment; we’re always worried about what’s next.
I’ve gone back and forth with the practice of mindfulness meditation in recent years, having returned to it just a couple of months ago (albeit not consistently). I don’t want to be thinking about anything else when I do it. I was looking at a more aggressive return to running, but the right ankle seems to be protesting that idea (and I’m unfortunately still a couple of months away from a return visit to the chiropractor).
I’ve found that I whenever I’m just sitting or taking those strides during a run or a hike, I’m looking at my life from the outside, simply figuring out how to find peace in the midst of noise. There’s still some work to do when it comes to reducing the noise in my life, but I’d say that it’s going to be extremely important to continue that practice as the New Year begins.
It helps when you’re not just going through the motions but truly living life. I’ve spent so much of the last year thinking about what’s gone wrong and what needs to happen next that I don’t focus on what needs to happen NOW. I find when I enjoy the moment without comparing or worrying about what’s next, I enjoy it the most. Now I’ve just got to remember to enjoy and not get dragged into the world of who’s kung-fu is the best.
How about you? When do you think you’re most alive?
Cheers.
Photo: Enjoying a Sunday evening. acnatta/Flickr
