Savor the Moment

As we come to the end of another year, and as we see those around us as well as ourselves get caught up in the frenzy of the holidays, I have been thinking more about the concept of time.  We find ourselves saying, “Where has the year gone”?  or, “How did they grow up so quickly?” or “have you noticed as we get older that time goes by ever so much faster?”

Of course, I acknowledge that time, and keeping to a schedule can be important.  We at SmartCare are service providers.  We must schedule our days, we are accountable to others, we have required timelines that we must keep in order to meet our contractual obligations.

Yet we are one of the busiest nations in the world, sometimes scheduling and over scheduling every waking hour, every minute of our days, at times to the detriment of our health, our relationships and our well-being.   Are we finding that we actually have to “schedule” our leisure time, time for meditation, time to play, family time?

We are doing the same for our children, these first and second graders that have 1-2 hours of homework each night, our older children that we think will benefit from scouts, soccer practice, and piano lessons each week, and our teens that also need to fit in volunteering as well as part-time jobs.   And they are hardly ever without an electronic device – phone, i-pod, laptop, in their hands… Can you recall the last time you encouraged them to just go outside and play?

How can we model for our children how to savor the moment, to be present and appreciate what is here and now, when we barely allow ourselves to do so?   I suggest that there is perhaps an element of fear involved, in slowing down long enough to be mindful.  That perhaps at the end of the day we won’t have accomplished enough, or have achieved enough or ranked high enough.  Or perhaps there is also the fear of being alone with our thoughts, that if we quiet our surroundings enough to be one with our thoughts, we may have to actually acknowledge them, along with the associated feelings.

It is actually very simple to move through your day, checking off your “to do” list as you go, running here, driving there, perhaps multi-tasking along the way.  But then what are you truly accomplishing?

Are you actually giving full attention to your daughter’s dance she created just for you?  Can you taste the subtle flavors of your evening meal?  Do you hear what your spouse is saying as he tries to engage you at the end of the day?  Can you feel the sand between your toes, the wind in your hair, your dog brushing up against you?

As the end of another year comes to a close, rather than draw up another list of resolutions that just may add to your already overflowing to-do list, perhaps it may be more healthful to contemplate what in your life is truly important  – to your relationships, to your physical and emotional health and overall well-being, and perhaps allowing yourself more time… time to savor the moment may be just what you need!

Best wishes from SmartCare for a “present” holiday season and a mindful New Year!