Eliminate Absence
As a passionate and regular yoga practitioner, I am constantly reminded of the power of presence. On the yoga mat it seems easy but then in the real world it’s a whole another story.
Over time and with repetition, many of our day to day activities have been put on auto-pilot. Our presence side is competing with all the crazy thoughts running through our minds so that when we drive to work we don’t really remember how we got there, we wake up and do the exact same thing in the same order, we take a walk down the same path and so on. These are all examples of how we exercise absence in our day to day lives because we are so busy being either in the past or in the future or just doing something that is so much of a habit that it’s no longer required to be present for those moments.
While we might be getting the task or activity accomplished, running on absence mode on a consistent basis is really not doing any good for our brain on a scientific level and also robs us from enjoying the little things in life. When we have the power to be present we give ourselves the gift of the now where we notice and are mindful of all our experiences. Seeing a new face in the neighborhood during your walk, noticing the beautiful bridge that you cross over on your way to work or the different scent of perfume your spouse is wearing today are some examples of cherishing the now and being present.
From a work and productivity perspective, being mindful also enables us to get better faster because people who are mindful pay attention to small things and are more present and alert. These qualities play a significant role in innovation and growth. Being creative and innovative without being mindful is really difficult. When we are using all our senses we are also sharpening our intuition and in being observant and present we are able to get that magical epiphany which may change the world in some way. Being present also keeps our minds sharp and nimble and adaptable to change.
Going through the journey of life with the sense of presence is truly worth the effort so take a breath and smell the roses!
By: Shagun Malhotra
