72 Days ’til 40: STOP WASTING THIS MOMENT!!!

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. ~ Buddha

The present moment is filled with joy and happiness.  If you are attentive, you will see it. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Each of us is the best we can be when we are fully present, focused yet relaxed, curious yet non-judgmental, committed yet flexible. ~ John Kuypers

The point of power is always in the present moment. ~ Louise L. Hay

Today I was at a conference.  It was an AMAZING conference today, with talented speakers from all over the world.  I was completely mesmorized by the incredible words of wisdom being shared as each speaker took the stage.  And, I was APPALLED.  Why was I appalled?  Because as I started to glance around the audience I realized that there were very few audience members who chose to be in the moment, enjoying the presentations and maximizing the knowledge being shared.  Most conference participants were checking email, facebooking, tweeting, and texting.  They did glance up at the speaker from time to time, sometimes they would even focus on the speaker for a full 2-3 minutes.  Then, it was back down to social media connections.

This led me to the title of this blog post – STOP WASTING THIS MOMENT!

Imagine if we were all able to pause for a moment, really pause.  Imagine if we could challenge ourselves to disconnect from the world outside of the room we are sitting in.  Imagine if we could, if we WOULD, allow ourselves to BE IN THIS PRESENT MOMENT…..

I enjoyed the conference today.  Like so many of the audience members, I felt myself drawn to connect with the outside world – mostly out of habit.  Twenty years ago I was able to enjoy conferences for what they were – and attended them with full interest and dedication to learning the content the conference creators set out to teach the participants.  I used to engage with the other participants and make wonderful new connections.  It was wonderful.  Today, I challenged myself to disconnect and listen.  When I allowed myself to focus only on the present moment, I walked away with the gift of new knowledge and understanding, and I was inspired.

Today, 72 days ’til 40, I challenge myself to put technology and social media connections aside, even if only for a short period each day, and focus on the present.  I challenge you to do the same.

~400daystil40