Thoughts & Practice

I sometimes catch myself, my mind and emotions, wandering off from the moment where and when I am. Since I am convinced one of the most important ways to engage life is to be Present, Now-Here, wandering means I am missing now. So I developed a simple practice: when I catch myself wandering, I smile and let go of wherever I have wandered. I sometimes even say to myself, “everywhere but here” or “anywhere but here.”

It is important to note that I do not judge myself for wandering away. (More accurately, I am learning not to judge myself. Usually.) This practice does not help if it becomes another reason we have created to beat-up-on-ourselves. And this practice matters because each of us hopes to really be there with others, with ourselves, with all the many facets of this beautiful world we encounter. This practice helps me be more in the moment. When I can bring Self into this moment, body-mind-emotions, I see this moment for what it is.

So the next time you are “wandering,” let go and come back.