Do you ever drive a well-known route, say to or from work, and realize when you get to your destination that you can't recall exactly how you got there. The details are all a blur -- all you know is that you left your house this morning, and now you're in the parking spot at your office.
That's how I feel about the last six weeks.
One moment I was enjoying the last lazy days of summer, and now I'm enjoying leftover turkey soup. Blink.
It got me to wondering if I'm really 'living in the moment.' Not to sound too Oprah, but when life seems to be rushing by like this, I do wonder if I'm actually living each moment, or just looking ahead to the destination and not enjoying the journey. Life is zooming along with kids, work deadlines, house projects, social activities, etc, that each and every day seems incredibly full and offers no opportunity for reflection.
Sometimes I feel that I'm too busy doing things and looking ahead to what needs to get done, that I don't enjoy the 'now' and aren't really in touch with the moment. Each day feels like one big to-do list, and the only way I get satisfaction is if at least 3/4 of the items are checked off by the time I go to bed. Is that really what life should be about? Getting 'stuff done'?
You often hear about people who go through illness or some other life-changing event and, well, it really changes their lives. They say that each day is a gift and they live it to its fullest -- Carpe Diem and all that. Am I in need of a life-changing event to get me off of the fast lane and stopping to smell the roses? (sorry about the mixed metaphors) Maybe I just need to stop making to-do lists? Or maybe I need to stop looking at the clock/calendar and start looking closer at the faces (including the little ones) of the people in my life?
I'm looking for inspiration. Next up on the car stereo for my commute-to-work audio book: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
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