In the last couple of years I have been working on trying to be better about being in the now and living in the moment. For someone who is both goal-oriented and extremely sentimental, it is hard to not spend time thinking about both the future and the past. Time is helping me understand that not living in the present moment effects my well being, and doesn’t help me move forward in a productive, healthy way. In no way is it easy for me and some days are better than others. Yet, as I’ve become more aware of trying to live in the moment, I’ve come to notice that we live in a culture that doesn’t make it so easy. We are inundated with messages that enforce the idea that we are lacking something or that we are not complete just as we are. Whether that be buying a new product that will make us more beautiful or continuing to climb up an imaginary and never-ending ladder to a scripted idea of success.
This all kind of hit me in the face last week – specifically on November 1st when I walked into my local drugstore to find them diligently working on an aisle to transition the Halloween candy to the discount shelf in order to fill the space with endless Christmas artifacts. November 1st. I understand getting excited and getting into the holiday spirit, but isn’t there another holiday in-between Halloween and Christmas that deserves a little attention? After all, it is the holiday where we are supposed to be focused on all that we have to be thankful for in our lives. Shouldn’t we take the time to relish in this celebration before moving onto the next? I then proceeded to see snowflake decorations going up in my neighborhood, Christmas trees in a local store window and even a Verizon truck wrapped up like a big holiday present. It is only the beginning of November and here we are with an influx of images around us telling us we should be thinking about the end of December. We can’t even enjoy the season we are in, but instead have to be thinking about the next.
Some might say, “It’s only two months – what’s two months?” Yes, two months can fly by, but does that mean we should let it? A friend of mine recently had to go to a memorial service for someone who passed away at the young age of 33. The last time she saw him was in May of this year when he was perfectly healthy. In those five months he was diagnosed with cancer, had a lung removed and eventually was not able to survive the disease that plagued him. So, to him, two months was everything. I’d like to argue that two months should be everything to all of us.
We can’t entirely escape the messages, images, artifacts and advertisements that force us to think about what is two months down the road, but we can actively take steps to try our best to ignore it and be in the now. Many people take the month of November to write down one thing they are thankful for every day – resulting in a list of 30 points of gratitude by the end of the month. I think that by taking time each day to reflect on what we have to be thankful for in our lives, we are forced to slow down and appreciate just where we are. Christmas will wait. It always does.
November – Month of Gratitude |
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| 1 | I went camping last month and, even with a great sleeping bag, it was VERY cold. Since then I’ve been very appreciative of my warm bed. It is cozy and comforting, and I recognize that not everyone has a warm, comfy bed to climb into every night. Crawling into bed is an every day event, so you can forget what a privilege it is! |
| 2 | Museums. I love em. Always have, always will. After seeing the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Brooklyn Art Museum I am reminded of how museums share creativity, peoples’ stories and beauty with the masses. Art should be accessible to all – not just those who can pay for it. |
| 3 | I went and watched the NYC Marathon today. It is such a spectacular event that brings out the very best in people – from the competitors to the spectators. I found myself tearing up watching the whole thing and feeling so grateful for my ability to get up and go for a run whenever I want. My friend, Meaghan, was running the race as an Achilles guide – guiding a 70 year old blind man who has competed in several Ironman Triathlons. That hour of watching and cheering was chalk full of inspiration. |
| 4 | I had a family member who had surgery recently. When someone you care about is in pain and recovering, it can be hard to feel like you have any power to make them feel better. In an effort to do that, I picked up sunflowers, so that she could have them next to her bed. To me, they are bright and cheery and represent the importance of always placing your face toward the sun or the positive side of things. |
| 5 | Tonight I had a drink with a woman that I met while volunteering and a friend of hers that just moved from NYC to Boulder, CO. Both women are so bright, friendly and kind – it is a reminder that there are always amazing, new people out there to meet and that you should never stop trying to make new friends. |
| 6 | Going to the gym can sometimes feel like quite the chore. It can take lots of energy just to motivate getting there. I belong to my local Y, and happened to be there right around the time that school lets out, so there was an influx of kids arriving as I was getting ready to leave. There was one kid who was walking the halls already in his bathing suit and his goggles securely strapped over his eyes – hardly able to contain his excitement for getting in the pool. I couldn’t help but smile seeing him, and his attitude was infectious. Nothing like kids to remind you of the beauty and joy in a simple moment. |
| 7 | My father is the kindest person I know. I continue to learn from him every day and admire his approach toward life. He has been in town over the last few days and has walked me home from where he is staying every night – only to then have to walk back by himself. Every night I have thanked him and told him that he didn’t have to do it, but he just says, “It is nice to get out for a walk and have some time to talk and be with you.” |
| 8 | My mother and her endless unconditional love. She is my biggest cheerleader, and I am not sure if I always recognize how much this impacts my life and allows me to be who I am. She’s given so much to her children and then had the incredible strength to let us all go and be the people we wanted to be. The older I get, the more in awe I am of her. |
| 9 | Harriet Ethel – my dog. After a long week it was pretty great to take her to the dog park and see the complete unbridled joy of being able to run around, chase a ball and play with other dogs. She couldn’t be happier and it seemed to me to be the complete definition of being in the moment. Dogs are good at that. Reminds me of Liz Danzico’s amazing talk at Creative Morning’s 5th Anniversary Party. |
| 10 | Guilty Pleasures. My sister, brother-in-law and I have somewhat of a Sunday evening tradition where we get together to eat and watch Sunday night shows. The shows are pretty horrible – deliciously horrible. So bad that they are good. They are a complete release from reality and allow you a little two hour retreat. Pretty-pretty great. |
| 11 | Pieces of information that provide clarity. Sometimes you can get so in your head that it is hard to see things clearly. Then you can get a piece of advice or information that quiets that and allows you to see why you should always follow your gut and trust in your intuition. These pieces of information can provide you with peace of mind and act as a reminder to trust that things will work out exactly the way they are supposed to. |
| 12 | My older sister, Stephanie, who remembered to wish me a Happy 1/2 Birthday yesterday – as only an amazing older sister could. She loves to laugh, and I always know that I will when I’m with her. She forever and always holds a piece of my heart. |
| 13 | I got to attend the Indie Media Camp today and it was chalk full of great information. It was a reminder of how much I love to learn new things and feel challenged, which isn’t something that I’ve felt for awhile. Guess it’s the educator in me, but love being a student of sorts for the day!
“When you stop learning, stop listening, stop looking and asking questions, always new questions, then it is time to die.” -Lillian Smith |
| 14 | DANCING. I ended my night with a dance party. In my living room. Justin, Beyonce, Robyn and Janet were all there. Is there any better way to end the night? |
| 15 | *Editor’s note: I moved out of NYC a month and a half after this post. I only recorded two weeks here, but spent that month and a half being so grateful for what NYC provided me. It was a looooong goodbye. These two weeks of gratitude were helping me accept this departure, because it was a hard one! |
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This is such a lovely idea. I have also just started a small blog at the age of 62 years old. My daughter taught me how to use the laptop she bought me. Now, I can write online like most of the young people today. I’m so happy! I love writing!
Christine – congratulations on your site and getting to share your writing! That is wonderful! I find writing to be such a creative process, and hope that you do as well. Enjoy and BE well!