A few months ago we went to a museum with some friends.
I had already seen the exhibit, so I parked myself in front of a work that I thought was wonderful (because I actually thought this particular exhibit was, on the whole, pretty bland), looked at the painting, and then took out my phone so I could finish reading the chapter I had been reading on mass transit on way to museum.
It was one of the self help books that I love- all about how to live life to the fullest and whatever. I can’t remember what book it was (I know- shame on me) but I do remember what the subject was: the chapter was about being present in the moment…
You know- mindfulness, kind of…
So I’m reading about how we need to pay attention to the little details. How we need to look at what is right in front of us and let the experience wash over us…
I’m reading about how we should let our senses guide us to live in the moment– to hear what is being said, touch what is touchable, smell the aroma of a place, taste what is applicable, and see what is in front of us…
I inwardly chuckled to myself that it was a good thing that I didn’t do that- I mean, personally, I am really good at experiencing life as it comes to me…I’m good at living in the moment. No wait…I am great at living in the moment.
I am the most observant person ever…
All hail me- the Goddess of living in the moment…
It was at that particular moment that I realized our friends D and K were literally in front of me looking at a painting…
Two feet away talking loudly enough that I could have heard them if I was paying attention…close enough that I should have seen them if I were paying attention…
I was so engrossed in reading about being in the moment, that I totally stopped being in the moment…
I decided right then and there that this was one of those life moments that I needed to pay attention to. What’s the chance of reading about something in a book, thinking to myself that it’s a good thing that I’m not at all one of the bad people he talks about, and then realizing that I AM EXACTLY ONE OF THE BAD PEOPLE THAT HE TALKS ABOUT WHO DOESN’T PAY ATTENTION TO THE MOMENT.
One of life’s odd coincidences right there slapping me in the face…
Was reading about things stopping me from experiencing things?
NOOOOOO….
Not reading….
I’m not giving up reading…
But maybe I shouldn’t always pick up my book when I have a spare minute…or spare thirty seconds…
Maybe I should just let time wash over me sometimes…
Maybe I should just be…
Sometimes…
Not all the time…
Because I’m not giving up reading…
but occasionally I guess it’s OK to put down the book…
Waking up on the Wrong Side of 50 
yes, it’s okay and what an ironic lesson )
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It was just such a bizarre coincidence…l
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That’s a pretty funny circumstance. I think we could all use a lesson in living in the moment
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This one hit me right in the face…but makes for a fun story
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Yes, it’s okay to put the book down once in a while… and that’s coming from me! 🤓
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😉then I know I’m on the right path….
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There was a multitude of “moments” at the moment. Your moment (sitting in a museum reading), the museum moment (which included your friends) and all that is going on, and the universal moment. You chose your moment and was all in, as opposed to the museum moment which included your friends. Alternatively, you could have “tried” to be in the museum moment with your friends and been bored out of your mind which would have been a failure to be in the moment.
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I love this because I could imagine myself saying this to someone else….thanks for being somewhat of a mirror today
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Oh my that’s funny. Yes it’s good to put the book down, I should inhabit this lesson a little bit better.
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💗😉
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That’s a funny story! Yes, there are many different ways of being in a moment, because there are an infinite number of things your attention can be drawn to. Frequently either I or my husband will hear something and mention it and the other is clueless. We’re both in the same place and both have ears, eh?
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I’m used to my husband not hearing anything that’s said around him….and also directly to him….
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This is pretty amazing. 🙂
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I thought it was just an odd coincidence…but totally fun to disect
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Don’t you just love life lessons that occur while ‘in the moment’?
😉
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I know!😉
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How funny 😀
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The irony in the situation. I also need to learn this lesson.🙂
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😉
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I get it! This morning I was listening to meditation on my walk and when it ended instead of turning on my iTunes and listening to music the rest of the way home I actually listened to the sounds of the world around me. And took deep breaths.
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Perfect!
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Guilty as charged. I do exactly the same thing…
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I have to stop doing it!
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That’s a fantastic realization. I adore the paradox of being in the moment, with the book, and being “out of the moment” with your friends. Happens to us all. I think you’ve taken it to the end nicely. For me, that is being aware when we are not paying attention as we’d like to, and adjust. And, when we miss it, meaning we are unaware of not being present, knowing that that’s okay too. No demerits here. Love the post, LA.
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Thank you. I thought it was too good a moment to pass by
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You’re welcome. Always. Indeed.
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You had me laughing and nodding my head in commiseration (is that the right word). I get so lost in a book I don’t hear anything else except the words in my head. Great post! C
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💗💗😉
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This is often me, either with a book or my camera. It is hard to remember it sometimes, but I do try. I just don’t always succeed.
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I know…but we keep trying
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That was well said LA. I have difficulty being in the moment, as my mind is always planning ahead to something else or mulling over something past, so this is a good reminder. And I do think you were in the moment…..reading your book instead of looking at a painting you had not much interest in.
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That’s actually quite true…especially as I loved the book….so clearly that was where I wanted to be…in the book
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I have this same exact struggle with being in the moment and also grabbing for a book when I have a spare second…thank you for this.
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😉
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In fact if I am totally honest I am currently in a virtual meeting that has absolutely nothing to do with me but I have been asked to sit in as a courtesy – your post has me thinking that instead of catching up on my reading of blogs that I follow I should be mindful and present while this meeting drags on….here goes…
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😉
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Many times I wonder if we are all scared to be alone with our thoughts and that’s why we tend to always turn to something that fills the void. I am guilty of pulling out my phone and reading headlines when I find myself bored or killing time. When did it become impossible to just “be”? I choose One Word for the year instead of resolutions. Two times I’ve chosen words that relate to this post. In 2016, it was Present and in 2019 it was Mindful/Mind Full. 💜
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We are a generation stymied by down time…I guess we feel like we need to be in action…it’s funny how it’s so hard to sit still
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Hahah, so true!
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Evers since I was a kid I have always had to have something in front of my face to read though lately I have been trying to pursue some of this mindfulness meditation stuff myself.
Here’s a book recommendation for you that’s sort of related to this subject.
Click to access chasingunicorns.pdf
Chasing Unicorns teaches a meditative path that leads to unicorns. By “unicorns,” I mean, unique experiences. After all, I’m not so crazy as to believe there really are unicorns. Are there?
Following this meditative path will lead to insights, and insights lead to adding variety and spice to your life, through unique experiences. And the more unique experiences you have, the more you enjoy life, and the happier you become.
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Thank you!
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