Our speaker, after telling his story, offered the topic of "mindfulness" for our contemplation and sharing. He said that since he got sober and joined our 12-Step Program, a little over a year ago, he tries to keep his life real simple. I know exactly what he means. I can no longer deal with a hectic and over-full life. I used to be fine with it -- that's what my working life was often about -- but not any more. If too many things creep onto my calendar, and especially if too many of those things are social events, I get uncomfortable. I need my alone time. I, too, need to keep it simple.
One of the ways I keep it simple is to practice mindfulness. If you google this word you'll find several different explanations, but I'll give you mine. For me, mindfulness means living fully in the here and now. It means that whatever you are doing at any particular time, pay full attention to it and do it with all your senses. If you're reading a book, pay attention to what you're reading, think about what you're reading. If you're making a salad for dinner, tear or chop the lettuce in uniform pieces, slice the other vegetables in attractive shapes, enjoy the fact that you're preparing a salad -- even if it's just for yourself. If you're talking with a friend, pay full attention to what he is saying, and notice his body language, his tone of voice. Give him real responses, more than just "Uh huh...uh huh..." Keep your mind from wandering off and thinking about what you did yesterday, or what you plan to do tomorrow. It's OK to plan for tomorrow, but not while you're supposed to be doing something else.
Mindfulness is the exact opposite of something that seems to be popular these days -- multi-tasking. Some busy people are proud of the fact that they can talk on the phone, watch TV and do online shopping all at the same time. Not me. No thanks.
Circling back to this morning's meeting, that's why I so liked the saying, "Live where your feet are at." It means live in the here and now. Accept the fact that where you are is, at this moment, where you are. Make the most of it. After all, "now" is the only time we get to live in.
