Mindfulness - Are You Here?

Hello friend. I am here and my heart is filled to overflowing that you are too! I am especially grateful for this opportunity for us to focus on consciously and intentionally creating joy-filled and energy-rich lives. I had a great ah-ha earlier this week, sitting on my deck in the morning sunshine. I suddenly came to, startled by the voice of my precious eight-year-old asking, “mom, are you here?” It took me a minute of checking-in with myself before responding, “Yes sweets, I’m here, out on the deck”.

I was there, but I was not there. I think we all have those moments. But, sitting there on my deck in the sun, I became unbearably aware that those moments, of not being there, have been happening more often than I would like. I became aware that life was presenting me with the opportunity to be more conscious, to be more mindful, to be more present.

We live in a time when we can be present in so many moments, almost as they happen, around the world. Through Facebook, I have witnessed Jonah (the talented soul who created our beautiful website and is partnering with me on all the incredible Inspire Leadership Association opportunities to come) enjoying a 30-mile backpacking trip. I have Face-timed with a loved one for an entire day as she received healing chemotherapy treatments in the cancer center, as I sat at my dining table. I have Skyped with my kids in Alaska while I was exploring Italy. I’ve live-streamed video of my nephew tearing up the basketball court in Fairbanks Alaska while I was sitting in the evening air in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

We have access to those extraordinary moments, and I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. But I do have to ask myself, and I challenge you to ask yourself, “What about the moments happening right now…the ordinary ones?” The precious time with myself on the deck, the sound of the birds chirping, the wind rustling the leaves, the feel of my skin soaking in the sun, and the smell of fresh Alaskan summertime air? It is my intention to be more present in each moment, ordinary and extraordinary.

One way I know to support myself in this intention, it to practice mindfulness. I know that if I get even a little better at being mindful, I will benefit in crucial ways. I know that mindfulness techniques like meditation and deep, rhythmic breathing can help me get there, so I can be fully here, in this precious, ordinary moment of sharing my ah-ha moment with you. In service to consciously and intentionally creating a joy-filled and energy-rich life, I am challenging myself to get a little better at mindfulness by starting each day this week with 5 minutes of deep, rhythmic breathing, followed by 10 minutes of meditation. I challenge you to join me.

-Tracy