Sometimes I forget to allow myself to enjoy where I am at. Taking the trash out, mowing the lawn, buying a carton of eggs, or even watching TV – I don’t enjoy it as much as I should. I let my mind wander to thoughts of needing a new car or sex or work. Rarely am I in the moment, soaking it all in.

I should be relaxing my mind and enjoying the walk to the trash or the simple ability to buy eggs. When I first attempted to enjoy “The Now” I had trouble. My focus was weak and I was lazy, even when I noticed that my attention was caught in the past or the future I just went with it instead of trying to bring it back to the present moment. Instead of bringing my attention back to “The Now” I let my mind run all around to whatever subject it wanted.

I’ve studied a lot of Buddhist and Zen based literature and practiced meditation at a local Buddhist center, but it wasn’t until I read the book “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle that I began to understand how important it is to enjoy where I am at. When I buy a carton of eggs at the grocery store I have to try really hard to keep my focus on the present by noticing my thoughts, my breathing, my muscles, other people’s clothes, expressions, and everything else. I often get so caught up trying to enjoy the present moment that I tense my body, at least that is what I thought was happening. Because I am trying so hard to enjoy buying eggs, I’m not relaxed and in the moment. I always tensed my body when concentrating real hard, holding my breath, clenching my jaw or tensing my legs. I trap the energy inside my body instead of letting it flow freely. A lot of people who clench their jaw in their sleep do this because they need to release the tension that has built up throughout the day. This led me to understand all the pain I was putting my body through. The mental pain that I was making myself endure was pointless.

My life is not so difficult that I can’t enjoy where I am at. I have an office job that doesn’t require a lot of skill, just a lot of patience. By applying the methods of enjoying the now I’ve realized that where I am at is all a part of the journey - the journey that teaches me the most about who I am and what I am capable of accomplishing. I’ve actually learned to enjoy going into work and doing a job that isn’t exactly fit for my personality because of all the wisdom that surrounds me. Yes I want to leave this job, but while I’m here I may as well enjoy its teaching.

How does one learn to enjoy where they are at to its fullest extent?

· Practice!

When you are stuck in traffic, stop your mind from going on and on about worries – bring your attention to your breath and be aware of your life. When your mind wanders off bring it back to the present moment and do this over and over again until you see results.

Mediation can help you understand your body and mind to where you can, almost like a switch, turn your attention away from the past or present and onto where you are. You will have your good and bad days, just ride it out and know that it will change.

· Converse with people who are trying to bring awareness to their lives and you’ll be able to learn a lot about what direction you want to take yourself in. There are meditation centers, yoga studios, forums on the Internet or friends who may be trying the same thing. You have nothing to lose except time.

All that I ask is that you be playful with the experience – you should be flexible when learning to stay in the present moment. Go with the flow of your mind and body as it develops this new skill. It will take practice, but I guarantee it’s worth every moment of your energy.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, November 19th, 2006 at 8:42 pm and is filed under Business.