Wake Up! Wake Up!

Yesterday I was reminded just how difficult it is to stay totally focused on the present moment. Early on in my Zen training I did a mindfulness practice. This practice consisted of being aware every time a certain act was done, i.e. walking up stairs, inserting a key in a lock. I progressed to being aware of thinking certain kinds of thoughts, i.e. having judgmental thoughts.

My intention to breathe and say a few words of gratitude went undone more often than not. All of a sudden I would realize I had done many different tasks on auto pilot. Before leaving work yesterday I organized a pile of a dozen different tasks to be completed. When I get to work today I will stick the entire stack in a folder and put it on my desk. Every time I turn from my computer to open the folder to get a new project I will stop, breathe and say “wake up wake up”.

This morning I synchronized my work calendar (massage practice) with my time off with my husband calendar. I did it the old fashioned way – with a pencil. There is something about doing tasks with your hands. I think it has to do with the feeling of being connected to something else. Just for Today I will be mindful of all the tasks I do with my hands and tonight I plan on visiting a knitting group at Posh, A Yarn Boutique that meets regularly in the neighborhood. I haven’t knitted since I was a child and feel this would be a pleasant pastime I will enjoy. One that is relaxing, yet keeps me engaged.