Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Being in the moment







A warm gray morning. The cardinals are singing their mating trills. I can see the wet, soggy ground showing through the melting snow. I think spring is finally on its way.

I've been working on "being in the moment" lately. Taking some great advice from Monday's post I'm realizing that even when I have time with Andrew or out on my walks that my thoughts are all over the place. I'm thinking about books that need to be made, business cards that need to be designed, packing that will need to be done, and calls I should make. It's multi-tasking right? Yeah, I don't think so. Half-baked plans fall to mush and half-baked listeners miss out on the little goodies. After so much multi-tasking-listening I'm realizing that it's hard being in the moment. It's like meditating, trying to draw my thoughts back to person in front of me when they start to stray. But, I'm up for the challange!

Images: yvetteinufio, gbaku, bellarosebyliz

30 comments:

Cupcakes and Cashmere said...

there's this book called 'stumbling upon happiness' and i highly recommend it. it's all about living in the moment and how humans really are the only mammals that can actively think about the future. can you imagine a cat wondering about tomorrow's breakfast?

Jude said...

I love your thoughts on half-baked plans and listeners. ☺ Now how to reach the point of fully-baked? Here's to perfecting the recipe!

Thanks for still being here!

yasmine said...

oh geez. in a way i can relate. i have a pile of half-baked ideas in my head, but often times, i'm in fully baked mode--i'm afraid of burning out! agh. multi tasking is great, but it's important to take long breaks in between.

Lizzy said...

I totally understand & loving those photos, as usual!

Tina { Luphia Loves... } said...

i often do my thinking at bedtime as i'm all comfortable and there is no distraction but then i end up really into my thinking and can't sleep! :)

carolina @ patagonia gifts said...

Aren't we demanding too much from ourselves, darling? Maybe we should try to relax and 'carpe diem'...
I love the way you write it down!
xoxo

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said...

take a break, girl! I'm so glad I took mine. It was a break from more than just my blog and it really, really helped me.

Samosas for One said...

I recommend reading A New Earth and watching the first video on Oprah.com with Eckhart Tolle. When you find your mind caught up in the past or the future and what you need to do ask yourself "Am I breathing?" and then focus on your breath. This brings you back to the present moment and also breaks you out of your thoughts and focuses you on now. It is a practice to get into the habit of it, but in my opinion it works.

erin said...

this photo of baby's breath is pure sweetness. so beautiful. thanks so much for sharing. (and glad you liked my sepia tones--i thought they were fitting for a little post about the past!)

Rachel said...

That last photo is so beautiful!

I have a terrible time getting away from multi tasking. I read one article that said you should never have multiple internet tabs open at once and I immediately stopped reading. I know it's a worthy goal, but it's so hard!

Unknown said...

i'm tellin you, you should read 'in praise of slow' by carl honore and 'enough' by john naish.

seriously.

picciolo said...

I love the tea poem! I think living in the moment is a wonderful thing to do, not always easy but worth striving for
: )

Rachel Follett said...

I am in the same boat. I am trying to figure out how to do it all! I lay in bed thinking about it too! Ryan says that I need to be able to control my brain better. Not the easiest task! I think once the wedding is over it will help clear the plate. Maybe we all just need a vacation!

drollgirl said...

boy i LOVE that necklace!!!

::::Lula Boutique:::: said...

Oh I am the same!! I think I may have mentioned this before to you through our posting and comments...but I had this bracelet made by an Etsy seller (Leaping Lizards) and it says "this moment is your life" on a ceramic pendant. It's from the quote...

"be happy for this moment; this moment is your life."

It is the BEST! I wear it often and whenever I feel overwhelmed with tasks and the business of everyday...I look at my bracelet and it brings me completely in "the moment" and it's awesome!! Just thought you would like that too. :)

paula said...

this is so true. I need to focus more on who I am with at that very moment without letting my thoughts stray. Harder done than said though.

Cindy said...

i love your first paragraph and can relate. i find it so hard to read a book because my mind just wanders.

Blair Friedeman said...

I have actulally been working on being in the moment too. Sometimes it is hard but I just try to enjoy the little thinks as much as possible and then just keep string them together:) Good Luck! Lovely lovely images.

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful post. . . I couldn't agree more.

Joyce said...

I love the pictures. It is hard turning off the switch, but you seem to balance it all. xoxo

TIG said...

Can completely, completely relate -- feel as if am always running, always so much to do . . . thank goodness for weekends, because I always do take a little time to slow things down {even just a little}

heidi said...

Give yourself a break!!! breathe.....
xxooh

Waterrose said...

I agree. Multi-tasking has been the "it" thing. But I think it has taken away from our lives rather than given. I try as much as possible to focus on what I'm doing rather then what else I need to do.

lotta said...

Sometime I think female brains are wired to run all the time - in many different directions. Sometimes that is re ally great - when you are managing a household of busy but disorganized teenage boys for example. But other times it is not. I find myself having to work hard to savor those "in the moment" moments. It is difficult, but worth it when it works. Thanks for reminding us!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I so identify with this post. It's been bad lately--even sleep gets disrupted by thoughts of things I need to do!

dojski said...

Oh, oh, been trying "being in the moment" lately too! Ah, universal experience, I think.

●• Thereza said...

i totally hear you julia... i need to learn it too...

Mrs.French said...

you have managed to capture everything I have been feeling in the post...my brain needs a break..b and mr. f are lovely moments to live in, I deperately need to remember that...xo t

PS~Erin said...

Oh, I am so relating to you right now. I'm feeling very scattered in my mind lately... So much to think about and plan, yet I finding it hard to keep track of and make happen. Your insight on this is so true. (And those photos are beautiful.)

Brittany | the Home Ground said...

I think I needed to hear this all said to me. I feel exactly the same about half-baked plans and telling them to people before they reach fruition. I don't really know how to slow down, either...