The Lost Art of Living...

While in Peru we listened to a talk by Rob Bell called "Fully Present." It really struck a chord with me. In my/our venture to live a less stressful life, a deeper life this really made sense: being fully present.

How often do things fly by in our life? We look forward to this or that, but when it comes we hardly take it in. Or in the present, how many distractions do we have that deter us from the "now."

How often are we with people and we can tell they aren't fully there? When you're talking to them they seem to be a world away, "uh-huh"-ing through your conversation, and you wonder if they are even hearing you. I don't want to be like that. I want to listen and care about people, and be there with them.

The times where it is the easiest for me to be fully present are those times when I am outside and the view, the weather, the feeling is perfect and I want to hold it, to bottle it, and really absorb it. I am trying to bring that into my whole life, the good and the bad. Life is too short not to be fully present. Being fully present not only allows me to absorb, but also to think and to contemplate. I find that I don't have a lot of energy or time to "think"right now - and that bothers me. I spend too much time worrying, which we all know does no good-and it's an addictive train of thought.

"Today enough is enough - I don't need tomorrow and yesterday as well. We need to be aware of how rarely we are aware."

This song by Mason Jennings says it the way I want to say it:
"Be Here Now"
be here now
no other place to be
or just sit there dreaming
of how life would be
if we were somewhere better
somewhere far
away from all our worries
well here we are

you are the love of my life

be here now
no other place to be
all the doubts that linger
just set them free
and let good things happen
let the future come
into each moment
like a rising sun

Tranquilo

Sometimes I feel anxious. Sometimes I worry a lot and things really catch up to me. I don't like that. And, I don't want to be like that. It's taken a few anxious breakdowns for me to realize that is not how I want to live.

I've made it a goal of mine, actually Justin and I have made this a goal for ourselves, to try to live a life with the least amount of stress. Of course, we can't avoid all stresses, so we also want to practice things that help us deal with stress.

I want to be able to be completely tranquilo. I want to be able to sit in the quiet and think, not be worried. I really think those times will help me work on being a creative person as well. I am constantly busy or worrying and I don't have a lot of time to think, just think, and to create.

... I really like doing yoga. I really do feel a rush of calmness afterwards, physically and mentally. (I like using the yogamazing podcasts on itunes)

Another thing I've been practicing is not rushing. I am very time oriented person. I don't like being late, which isn't a bad thing, but I find myself stressing myself out to get somewhere on time, not worth it! ... I am going to take my time (I will try at least)!

I also like to do things that bring me a lot of joy, like cooking! I can't explain it, but it really does make me happy. I love to creative things in the kitchen. I love making my husband good meals. I love eating.

And.. of course, walking. I like to walk and think, or listen to music. There is something about being outside. We live in beautiful Southern California! Sure, the air might not be great, but we have some beautiful scenery. I love the mountains. I almost feel like I need that time, that time of being outside, the time to "connect to nature" - might sound hippie-ish. But it's not! ... It's true.

I often find myself worrying about things in the future, or thinking about things in the past. I really want to focus on the present. I often look forward to things that are coming up, but when they come I don't fully take advantage of that time. It slips away between the future and the past. What's the point of looking forward to something if I don't fully enjoy it when it comes?

Certain circumstances have made these things important to me. Couldn't we all use a less stressful life?