04/25/2024
Last Friday evening I was at a local restaurant visiting with some friends. We were conversing about how upside down and crazy the world has become and how we each were coping with daily stresses differently. One friend simply stated, I am concentrating on "Being where my feet are". That was so odd to me. I couldn't quite figure out exactly what he meant by this statement. Then today I receive a commentary in my email and I will be darned.... Check it out....
BE WHERE YOUR FEET ARE
One of my life mantra's is to remember to always "Be Where My Feet Are". A mantra is just a statement or a slogan that you repeat to yourself frequently to remind yourself of something you believe in or desire to be.
This morning it took a slightly different meaning for me. The normal way I approach this is to remind myself to block out everything that is happening around me and do not worry about what lies ahead or what has already happened but to be present with where I am and who I am with and give that moment my full attention and appreciation.
I repeat this often because I fail so regularly at it.
For example, here are some of the things I do to be present wherever I am.
- If on a phone call I turn my chair around so I cannot see my email or screen or able to type on my keyboard and try to give my full attention to whomever I am speaking with.
- When I am in the car I sometimes put my phone in the back seat on silent so that I can enjoy the person I am riding with or if alone just spend the time appreciating my surroundings and where and what I am doing.
- At night I put my phone on DND and place my phone on my counter and do not look at it at night so I can focus my attention on my wife and our conversations.
As I like to tell people who say they cannot use DND because what if someone really needs me. My response is 911 can respond a lot faster and a lot wiser than you are able to if someone is in true need. Anything else can simply wait.
Taking away distractions make experiencing life so much greater. It does not matter how many things you have to do in a day. How buried you are. Guess what? Whether you rush through them or stress through them you still have to get them done. Why not enjoy them. Do not even think about the next thing until what you are doing is fully completed.
I have a very busy day today on items I need to get done. But first I need to write this article. I don't care about everything else that needs to get done. Right now I am writing this article with a smile on my face and enjoying this time sharing with you.
Now to the different way I am viewing this today. I was doing a morning meditation while I was walking my dog. I use Meditation Studio which is a paid meditation app. I take the dog, I turned on the app and it spent 7 minutes having me think about every part of my body.
It started with my feet, then my ankles, then my legs, my stomach, chest, head, arms and guided me to appreciate how I would use each of these parts of my body today. How I would use them and the fact that I could use them. I loved the feet part. How many things I would do today because I could walk, or stand or push a gas pedal or walk the dog.
Sometimes being where your feet are means appreciating the things that you take for granted like the ability to walk your dog, smell the fresh air, hear the birds chirp and be thankful for a companion like a dog.
Rather than the dog walk being a hinderance it was a blessing many people do not have. If I did not take the time to look around, smile at my dog as she relieved herself and enjoy my surroundings then I would not be able to appreciate whatever I am doing next.
The more you enjoy whatever you are doing right now the more likely you are going to transition in to the next part of your day enjoying that as well.
Choose today to be where your feet are : ) You may actually enjoy it.
