Okay, so I’ve been diving into this whole “presence” thing lately, and let me tell you, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. I stumbled upon this concept called “Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence,” and I figured, why not give it a shot? I mean, who doesn’t want to be more “present,” right?
So, I started by, well, just trying to notice things. Sounds simple, I know, but trust me, it’s harder than it seems. I decided to start with my morning coffee. Usually, I just gulp it down while scrolling through my phone, totally oblivious.
The Coffee Experiment
- First, I actually looked at the coffee. The color, the steam rising… yeah, I felt a bit silly, but I kept going.
- Then, I took a slow sip, really trying to feel the warmth, the taste. It was…different. Usually, I don’t even register the flavor.
- My mind, of course, started wandering. “Did I reply to that email?” “What should I make for dinner?” I noticed these thoughts, and I gently brought my attention back to the coffee. Again, and again, and again. It was like mental weightlifting.
It was frustrating at first. My brain felt like a bouncy ball, bouncing all over the place. But I persisted. I kept practicing this “noticing” with other things throughout the day – washing dishes, walking the dog, even waiting in line at the grocery store.
The Daily Grind Becomes the Practice Ground
I started to notice little things I’d never paid attention to before. The way the sunlight hit the leaves on the trees, the sound of the birds chirping, the feeling of my feet on the ground. It was like the world got a little bit brighter, a little bit more…real.
It’s not like I’ve become some Zen master or anything. My mind still wanders all the time. But now, I’m a little bit better at catching it. I’m a little bit more aware of what’s going on, both inside my head and out in the world. And that, I think, is a pretty good start.
It’s a work in progress, this whole “presence” thing. But I’m sticking with it. It’s like anything else – the more you practice, the better you get. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually be able to enjoy my coffee without thinking about my to-do list. Maybe.
