Lying down at end of life, so many people say, “It all went by so fast.” I can even attest in my own life, the older I get the faster it seems to go. Now with the advent of the various web debris floating around our environments, it’s as if there is information overload at times and we can get to the end of the day often saying, “The day went by so fast.” Those of you who have been following my blogs can hear the echo of past blogs talking about how we can so easily get kicked into a state of auto-pilot not realizing this very present moment that is right here in front of us. Abraham Joshua Heschel said, “Life is routine and routine is resistance to wonder.” I would add, “Routine keeps us from realizing what is most meaningful moment-to-moment.”
I’ve never heard someone unhappy with having experienced a meaningful life. In fact, there is much debate about whether cultivating a meaningful life might be what’s actually most supportive to our mental health. We need to look no further often times than right here, right now in order to embrace meaningful moments.
Even if you are struggling with anxiety or depression, there are moments in your daily life that often go unnoticed that might be fleeting, yet meaningful. For example, holding your baby or that of another, walking by a beautiful garden, holding the hand of someone you care about, being present with your pets, talking to your parents or children, even living in your house. Why might these be meaningful? Because just like anything else, it often takes the act of something being taken away from us to really recognize the meaning of it. Think of someone passing away, of 9/11, or of the Tsunami. If we were able to go back in time, we might stand in front of the World Trade Center and be in awe of the buildings, or really pay attention to a person we lost. We can break out of our routines not having to wait until it’s lost to realize the meaning behind things.
Mary Oliver says in her poem “The Summer Day”
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
Here is one way I call Present Moment Nostalgia to support us in really feeling into the meaning of the moment.
Go ahead and share your thoughts, stories, and questions below. Your interaction provides a living wisdom for us all to benefit from.
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Thanks for a brilliant post. The ever-expanding virtual realm can be such an extension of ego’s wanderlust. Endless fodder for an insatiable hunger. And the days slip by full of missed opportunities to connect with: others face to face, the radical emergence that is Spring, the moment-to-moment growth of a child, the very formation of new Being. And far from a repudiation of the digital, I am excited about the convergence of mindfulness and technology. So many possibilities. Thanks again.
Thank you, Elisha, your articles, or blogs are really great. I somehow imagine that someone either really appreciates them, or gets them, or otherwise a person may find them totally meaningless, and not ‘get them’ at all. Is that true, or what experience have you had with feedback.
I used to study Psychodrama with mentors/teachers that were one of the very best things that ever happened to me, meeting them, finding them, having the opportunity to study with them. Are you maybe familiar with Dr. Dorothy, and Dr. mort Satten? Unfortunately, like all great things, their practice and teachings have come to an end as well but will live on….
One exercise early on in my training with them was just this one you mention under 1. Except, they told us to go forward to the last day of our life and then look back and then look back…ask, what advice would you give to you from that place for now. What have you learned.
It then was, and still is, not possible for me to do this, and I don’t know why. The resistance is just too strong. Any ideas? I just cannot do it and do not know why.
Love this post. Especially for those of us who go through mania or depression and loose memories as a side effect. One has to then re-engage and make new memories. The best way to do this is to live in the moment especially when they are good.
Is it that a meaningful life leads to happiness, or that happiness leads to a meaningful life (or the perception of a meaningful life)?
Just a blogging tip…
I find sometimes I am interested in your topic and then see a mass of gray text with big meaty paragraphs and don’t feel like I want to take on reading your blog that day.
I think more people would read if you broke up your text.
Many small paragraphs consisting of just a sentance or two that breaks out that point and makes it more powerful.
Also breaking up text through use of bold, underlining, numbering.
If you look at other’s blogs, you will see a lot of white space in between key points.
When people are confronted by a sea of big gray paragraphs they think they can’t have a quick look at your blog and pick up the key points.
P.S. Actually, an example is the comment I just wrote.
Isn’t it easier to read than if I had made all that one paragraph?
Hope this is helpful.
Thank you Marie! I hope others benefit as well.
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