Wherever you are be there.

How many of us have wandered through our day not noticing what is going on around us? I am certainly guilty of it- although I am training myself to stop what I am doing and be present wherever I am. I see so many in the little red dot- also known as Singapore- where I currently live guilty of this too. Blame it on technology, work, the hectic pace of life, whatever. If we choose there are an endless number of excuses. 

Excuses for what? For not being present in the moment. Present. The dictionary may give us at least two definitions: a gift that we give, and being aware of where we are. I'm referring to the second definition- being aware of where we are at each moment. We could combine the two meanings in the words of Joan River who said,  "yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God's gift, that's why we call it the present." 

A play on words perhaps, yet with so much truth. 

For me the word 'present' brings back images of my childhood in school. Every morning in school, my teacher used to take attendance for my class and whose ever name was called, either raised his/her hand or yelled out 'present!'. What do we require to be really present? 

We could start with our five senses. Be present requires us to smell, see, feel, hear, and touch. At least in most situations. We could also be present mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It does mean that we need to pay attention to what goes on around us. To not walk down a street with our mind still remembering the events of yesterday, or daydreaming about what might happen tomorrow. (Please do not try this if you live outside of Singapore- Singapore is one of the few countries that I know of in Asia where one can walk down a road looking at one's phone! In most other countries this is extremely dangerous). The quarrel we had yesterday. The wonderful lunch we just had. What we're going to have for dinner. Where we're going for our summer or winter vacations. Not that all these events are unimportant: but there is a time and place for everything. 

There's a time and place to reflect on our past, and a time and place to envision our future. Not at the expense of being present when we need to. When people who care about us need us to be present. It's for this very reason that people who are counselors,  therapists, or psychologists are paid well. Or should be. Because they are giving their most valuable resource- time and undivided attention- to those who need it. 

The next time you have a conversation with anyone, focus on listening and being present.  Who knows, you may learn something that might change your life. 

Esther @ www.soakupinfo.com/Esther