Staying present is not an easy thing to do. Staying in the moment is even harder. I think it is important to know yourself well enough to understand the challenge. Relationships depend upon it. Maximizing the opportunities of life require it. Unfortunately, it is not natural for you to pay attention. It is something you have to do on purpose. If you don't approach life with intention it will not happen. You have too many things working against it. Think about it.
To begin with, your mind is constantly working. Some of us are more cognitively active than others, but physically speaking your mind can out race your capacity for paying attention. Some suggest your mind has the capacity for listening at the rate of up to 750 words per minute while as a human being you only have the capacity for listening up to about 250 words per minute. There is obviously a lot of room for mental and emotional wandering.
Secondly, life is happening. The world is swirling around you, and it is demanding your attention. Even when you are alone, you are not without distraction. Staying focused upon one thought or upon one thing is more than problematic. Life will cry out for your attention.
So, what is the answer? To begin with, it important for you to recognize the problem. Then, you have to practice the discipline. Meditation is a discipline. It is something you have to learn. Begin by purposing a few seconds at a time. Get intentionally focused. Do it outside of your work life. Some of us are trained for professional focus, but we cannot translate it into our personal lives. Begin when it doesn't really seem to matter.
Becoming more focused in life, can change your life. It might even save your life. Begin with driving time. Pay attention. Quit texting. Quit talking. Focus upon what your are doing. Focus upon who and where you are. Translate it into your relationships in life. Listen actively. You can do it. So can I. Do well, my friends.
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