Living in the moment is all the talk these days, but let’s face it, it’s easier said than done! Especially when we’re caught up in the whirlwind of daily life, juggling work, family, and everything in between that vies for our attention. That’s why I always say that living in the now is a “practice”, a discipline that requires focus and intentionality. In this tech society we all live in, we are addicted to the stimulus that sends us chasing after 10,000 shiny objects every day!  And in all the noise, we RESIST even the slightest whisper of quiet. We pick up our phones and start scrolling on every down moment we have. We’re trying to fill that space, but it only increases our boredom and takes us further away from our goal of embracing the present moment.  Here is a nugget of wisdom, maybe it’s time to learn the art of embracing boredom!

I think boredom gets a bad rap. You see, boredom isn’t just a sign of laziness or lack of stimulation. It’s an invitation to pause, to disconnect from the constant stream of distractions, and to simply be present with ourselves and our surroundings. It can be a catalyst for greater presence and mindfulness.

Living in the now isn’t just about experiencing fleeting moments of joy or excitement; it’s about fully immersing ourselves and accepting where we are in our life, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.

Imagine you’re out for a stroll, the sun kissing your skin, birds chirping in the distance, and the gentle rustle of leaves under your feet. Suddenly, you’re struck by a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the world around you. That, my friends, is the magic of presence.

But hold on, I know what you’re thinking. “But Sandy, I’ve got bills to pay, deadlines to meet, a thousand things on my to-do list!” I hear you, I really do. But here’s the thing: living in the moment doesn’t mean shirking responsibilities or ignoring the future. It’s about finding pockets of presence amidst the chaos, however small they may be.

As Eckhart Tolle reminds us, the present moment holds no problems; our worries and anxieties belong to the past or the future. So why not focus on what is good and beautiful right now (the wow is happening now!)? Even mundane tasks like cooking dinner, doing laundry, pulling weeds, or corralling wild kids can become opportunities for mindfulness and appreciation – when we are present.

In our world, where instant gratification is the norm, boredom has become somewhat of a lost art. But there’s something to be said for allowing ourselves to be bored, to sit with our thoughts and emotions without the need for constant stimulation.

Now, I’m not saying we should all quit our jobs and spend our days frolicking in meadows (although, wouldn’t that be nice?). What I’m suggesting is a shift in perspective, a conscious effort to embrace the beauty of the mundane, the everyday moments that often pass us by unnoticed.

Our mind is a fascinating place. In itself it is rich with seeds of possibilities that can grow into ideas and passions and wonderful creations. The culprit in our society today is that we are very spoiled on being able to pick up a device and entertain ourselves, ignoring the spaces we are given for self discovery. Again, there is something to say for boredom.

Think back to your childhood, to those lazy summer days when boredom was a badge of honor, a sign that you had the luxury of time to spare. What if we could reclaim that sense of wonder and curiosity, even in the midst of our busy adult lives?

So, the next time you feel the urge to reach for your phone or tablet in moments of boredom, why not try something different? Step outside, breathe in the fresh air, or just stand up and walk!  Allow yourself to be fully present in the beauty of the moment. It may just be the most fulfilling experience you’ll have all day.

Remember this: boredom is not the enemy, but a gentle nudge from the universe to slow down, to reconnect with ourselves and the world around us. So go ahead, embrace the boredom, and let it lead you on a journey of self-discovery and presence. After all, as they say, the present moment is the only moment that truly exists.

With warm affection,

© Sandy Hibbard

We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.  ~ Whoopi Goldberg

Image © Sandy Hibbard Lensqueen.com

The heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love.
~ Buddha

“Wake up to today. All possibilities reside in this moment.”
~ Sandy Hibbard

“Each man should frame life so that at some future hour fact and his dreaming meet.” ~ Victor Hugo

Monday comes and it always feels like a new beginning (but not like Sunday mornings). I wake and immediately begin to mentally compile a list of all the things I plan to do, need to do, for the week. It all begins to rush through my mind like the water running through the sink when I wash my face to wake up. Running through fast and quiet. The list grows organically, like silent branches, roots, sending out its tentacles to wrap-twist-tie around and through my brain. I pull the phone up to my face (still cozily tucked into my bed) to check the temp outside, wondering what kind of clothes I need to wear and how to regulate a comfortable climate here in my teeny-tiny work space apartment. Notifications…anything from anyone? I quickly read through my horoscope looking for a magical prediction of success, love, or perhaps a warning with instructions on how to avoid a sinister calamity. Facebook, Instagram, NYT latest news stories, and finally, my emails. Just a quick look, I will need coffee before I answer these. All business of course, and that’s good, but how nice would it be to hear from an old friend, maybe they’re writing just to say hello and they missed me, or give me an update on their life. Maybe they were thinking of me and want to send me an encouraging word, be my cheerleader, because we all need one. We all need someone to “see” us, I mean really witness our life. I believe that so deeply. We don’t always get that, but I think we are much better off when we have those kind of relationships and friendships in our lives. They act as a balancing weight on our unicycle ride of existence, sort of. But anyway, it’s all good. And then there is this pressure of making something happen. Why do I always feel that way? I don’t mean the normal thoughts of a single woman who runs her own business; thoughts of prospecting and following up on leads, marketing, serving my clients and making sure they are happy with my work, balancing my expenses and profits, and so important, coming up with progressive and creative new ideas. Those things are on my mind 24/7. “The pressure of making something happen” – I’m talking about that Monday (any) morning time of reflection on want and desire, what needs to be and what is lacking – in life, in love in spirit. You know those thoughts? Sometimes a little self deprecating and resulting in making you feel invisible…but I digress.

So I jump up, do the hustle. Time for brooding or indulging my fantasy mind will come later, this is a new week and I need to kick ass, make something fabulous happen, be creative, prepare for what’s ahead.  See? There I go…. Hustle the coffee, check on my clients, call my loved ones, text a friend, do something great…go go work work.

Today, I just want to settle into my start position and absorb every nuance that presents itself to me…as it comes. I posted a note on my desk that says “turn loose and move forward”. That’s the kind of hustle I plan to do – let go of the things that are not fruitful in my life – business or otherwise – and move forward. My big sister said to me a long time ago to “cut the fat”, and I get it. Damn I hate that kind of grossly fatty-gristly meat, makes me nauseous to even think about eating it. Now, imagine that kind of rancid fat at work in your daily life; creating a network of mighty powerful tentacles slithering their way into your head, squeezing the life and joy right out of your day, your work, and eventually your relationships. What damage is it doing? The fat of old memories, disappointments and hurts, failures and loss. Cut it loose, move beyond them.

This is way too much to think about before my first cup of Monday coffee, but it is how I think. We are not just made for cubicles you see, we are not formed and fashioned, evolved and fitted for a life of [just] business; we are here to BE. And we are constantly looking, albeit subconsciously for most, for a way to do that. BE happy, BE loved, BE at peace, BE successful. Living on Monday is the same as living on Wednesday, or Saturday, or any day! It’s about being present to what is in our life at every moment, yet being gentle and curious about our past. Paying attention. Loving and giving, working, eating, creating, caring for each other. Being human.

Back to my phone. I check my bank account, read the news and briefly log in to my Whirly Word game to see if somehow, magically in the night, my mind had come up with the winning word that has been dogging me since yesterday afternoon. Nope… nothing. I jump out of bed. Coffee! Water! With a invigorated bounce in my step (just the thought of my home brewed coffee puts a smile on my face), I am happy to be alive and grateful that my brain and my body is working… and oddly, I’m looking forward to those tentacles of thoughts and ideas and turning creative on them, making them into moments instead of worries. Successes – one by one. That is up to me.

Ciao….xoxoxo
 
 
 
 
 

© Sandy Hibbard

Pass the Juice – Get Inspired

What is it that fuels your fire, turns your nut, infuses you with passion and energy?
And how often is it part of your life?
I need to turn my inner flywheel daily.
There are particular activities that do it for me: taking a run on my trail; riding my bike; cooking, or meditating.
All of these are special times just for me. I do them daily and they help me keep my balance, develop a generative mindset, and maintain presence so I notice my life (otherwise I tend to get into a rabbit hole and the mindless checklist mentality!).
Do you have a daily ritual? How do you keep your flywheel in motion?
What can you do today to inspire and bring joy to YOU!
 
Taken from Monday Mojo with Seth Kahan
 

The Empty Container
By Leo Babauta

Our lives get so complicated not overnight but gradually.

The complications creep up on us, one insignificant step at a time.
Today I order something online, tomorrow someone gives me a gift, then I get a free giveaway, then I decide I need some new tools. One item at a time, the clutter accumulates, because I’m not constantly purging the old.

Today I say yes to an email request, tomorrow I say yes to a party invitation, then I get asked to a quick cup of coffee, then I decide to be a part of a project. One yes at a time, and soon my life is full and I don’t know how I got so busy.

I look at a news site, then a social media site, then my email, then read an interesting article, then watch an online video someone sent me … and soon my day is gone, and I didn’t get much done, and my life gets eaten away in minuscule bites.

How do we protect against this feature creep, this complication creep? We have to take a step back, regularly.

Instead of thinking, “How can I get rid of this complicated mess?” … let’s ask, “What if I started with a blank slate?”

What would you do if your life was a blank slate?

If it were an empty container, with limited space, what would you put in it?

For me, I might put in some play time and reading time with my kids; coffee time and exercise time with my wife; some long walks and talks with good friends and close relatives; work that matters to me and that helps others; continual learning; and time alone to meditate and spend with my thoughts and a good book.

Those are the things that I’d put into my empty container, because they feel right to me. What would you choose?

Once we’ve figured that out, we know what belongs in the container … now we just need to constantly look at things and activities and requests and tasks, and ask: “Is this one of my container items?”

Love and peace!
Sandy

29 quotes to inspire and keep you rolling through the year

1. STAY HUNGRY. STAY FOOLISH  ~ Steve Jobs
2. The road has two rules only:  Begin and Continue
3. Live our truth, share our joy, expand our awareness.  ~ Sandy Hibbard
4. Do not fear mistakes.  There are none.  ~ Miles Davis
5. If enlightenment is not where you are standing, where will you look?  ~ Zen saying
6. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.  ~ My dad, from the scriptures
7. Nothing is left to you at this moment but to have a good laugh!  ~ Zen saying
8. Let me respectfully remind you, life and death are of supreme importance. Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. Each of us should strive to awaken.  AWAKEN! Take heed, do NOT squander your life.  ~ The Evening Gatha
9. The First Agreement:  My Impeccable Word.  ~ Miguel Ruiz
10. All you need to survive this life is a grateful heart and a strong will.  ~ Dr. K
11. Just keep a clear mind, go straight ahead, try, try, try, for ten thousand years.  ~ Soen Sa Nim
12. Love is a present that can be given every single day you live.  ~ fortune cookie 
13. I didn’t always know what I wanted to do, but I knew the kind of woman I wanted to be.  ~ Diane von Furstenberg
14. One morning Suzuki Roshi gave a brief talk to the people sitting in zazen:  “Each of you is perfect the way you are…and you can use a little improvement.”  ~ Suzuki Zen
15. Death is not the greatest loss in life.  The greatest loss is what dies within us while we’re alive.  ~ Norman Cousins
16. Zen in its essence is the art of seeing into the nature of one’s being, and it points the way from bonding to freedom.  ~D.T. Suzuki
17. People will forget what you said, will forget what you did, but will never forget how you made them feel.  ~ Maya Angelou
18. Just point your feet in the right direction and move forward!
19. Nothing works, unless you do.  ~ Maya Angelou
20. Pray to God, but hammer away.  ~ Spanish Proverb
21. Explore, discover, broaden and enrich my life and the lives of others.  To offer my talent and resources to help others be successful.  ~ my personal mission statement
22. The most perfect technique is that which is not noticed at all.
23. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler.  ~ Albert Einstein
24. My income is constantly increasing
25. Each age has its own special joys and experiences.  I am always the perfect age for where I am in life.
26. God builds his temple in the heart on the ruins of churches and religions.  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
27. I know it to be true that neither life or death, good or bad, the present or the future, or any powers, circumstances or anything else in all creation will be able to separate me from the love of God.  ~ the scriptures
28. Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.  ~ Sandy Hibbard
29. I was once afraid of people saying, “Who does she think she is?” No I have the courage to stand and say, “This is who I am.”  ~ Oprah Winfrey