Green Peppers and Focus

I was surprised by the amount of feedback that my article on multi-tasking received. It sounds like a lot of us are longing for a simpler way of being. To be able to focus on one thing is a luxury these days that seems hard to come by.

Focusing may be more difficult than you expect so I suggest you start in small ways.

 When was the last time you appreciated the beauty of vegetables? Really look at them as you prepare the evening meal tonight. Slicing a green pepper in half reveals the beauty of pattern and a luscious scent!

As you drive to work, turn off the radio and enjoy the journey.Are the leaves starting to change in your area? Or are the rains turning that summer brown to green again?

Really be with your kids when they come home from school today. Give them your full attention. Being heard and appreciated is rare these days. And who knows, maybe they'll even listen to you!

The point is to BE with one thing for just ten or fifteen minutes today. Then build on that start.

Today I'm writing outside on my front deck, enjoying the gift of sunshine, flowers and hummingbirds. I feel so blessed to call this my 'office' and I take a few moments each hour to look up and notice the breeze, the birds and the flowers. Practicing gratitude helps me to focus and to BE.

I encourage you all to pull away from the busyness of modern life for a few minutes and step out of doors. Take a few deep breaths and practice gratitude for what you find out there.

"The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers. - Thich Nhat Hanh"