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…