Recognizing that October 28, 2010 will never be here again, creates an awareness. An awareness that letting a day slip by without being awake enough to feel its potential is like being handed a gift, but not unwrapping it. Yesterday slipped by so quickly. In fact, I'm amazed at how this entire month seems to be zipping by. I don't want to miss it. So, I am not trying to give you a speech, but offer a reminder to myself. I thought, just maybe, you might hear something in it too. Because all of us have full lives and busy days, so each of us probably need a little prodding to stay present... to be here. Of course, everyone has to do a little planning... calendaring in our head,so to speak, but it's too easy to get caught up in the mind's chatter about what has to happen tomorrow or next week.
I've always believed in the power of words... So with that in mind, I will be spreading them around my home... little prompts to remain awake in this moment, in this day. The first one was just simple: letters on a leaf. This bright orange maple is like a flag as I walk out my back door. LISTEN: to myself, to my family, to nature, to each moment. The next prompt was a quick gathering of scraps. But the act of creating it makes it more likely to really be SEEN when I walk by its very busy location in the "Grand Central" of my house.
I'm excited about this! I think it will stimulate a very interesting conversation at dinner tonight, and I'm looking forward to seeing what magic might unfold.
Words. Prompts and reminders to stay focused on what's right here right now... I'd love some suggestions. Brainstorming is always more fun together. What word would you choose?
I think I would need to choose "clean" and "this". haha. I'm trying to get the house ready to hibernate in and it needs to be clean and cozy.
ReplyDelete"Engage"...Too often I find myself not fully involved in the moment - present in body and nothing more. This is good thing you're doing.
ReplyDeletei appreciate this so very much maya, our families mantra is 'be here now' gorgeous creating xo
ReplyDeleteI know it's 2 words but it would have to be "be content". It works so well for me as i often forget what i have and try to reach higher. I should just be content sometimes and enjoy what i do have.
ReplyDeleteYou are always so inspiring Maya. And just that reminder that today will only be here once, helps me keep mindful being present in this moment. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'd say 'Hello'.
ReplyDeleteSomehow it makes me take a second to answer, always looking a little curious to see who said it. I think it would be a great reminder to take a moment to think. About this particular moment.
"Light" as in keep it light. I often find myself walking around as if I have weight on my shoulders.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea. It reminds me a bit of "Word of the week" ~ something my mom cooked up to improve my vocabulary as a child.
Mine would be ~ Remember ~ my life with my children is flying by and that is why I so want to document all the "little" details for us to "remember" later. Blogging is such a wonderful outlet help accomplish that goal! With so much going on all the time, it is so easy to forget.
ReplyDeleteSAVOR. Take in the moments and absorb them as you would a rich flavor.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking just plain "be". Such a little word can suggest so much. It could be helpful for several different thoughts too like be here, be quiet, be awake, be still, be mindful. I'm sure you could add to that list. I love your idea!
ReplyDeleteOh, this is sweet, and oh so true! We need reminders, constantly. I'd choose so many words, I'm in love with them!
ReplyDeleteThose are the last words i've chosen, meant for exactly the same thing, that is, to remind me/us to catch the hour, catch the day...:
http://www.poetic-chronicles.org/latest-poem.php
I love this post and timely for me. This month I have been so busy with my husband being away I was stuck in this cycle of preparing food, exercising, looking after children and helping friends by watching their children, preparing music classes, cleaning....oh the list goes on and on like any mother...BUT I completely missed 10-10-10. I have let go of the disappointment in missing such a cool date. I will not let go of today.
ReplyDeleteSo timely - today is my fourth little girl's six month birthday. A special milestone but also a busy day like all the others (four half made Halloween costumes to finish, dirty dishes, piano lessons etc, etc!). I have been trying to take the time to appreciate this special day so my word is ENJOY. Enjoy the way she is today because tomorrow she will be that little more grown up.
ReplyDeleteI love this!
ReplyDeleteIf I were able to choose two words they would be, "Take Joy"... (are you familiar with Tasha Tudor? taking joy is a lesson I learned from her..)
but I would just stick with Joy if we must only have one :-)
Your words and thoughts are all so wonderful! Thank you, thank you! And, of course, there are no limits to how many words we choose for reminders... choose as many as feel right at any given moment. I'm jotting down some of yours too... they're all so good and true.
ReplyDeletenow.
ReplyDeleteThis is something that I am working on, and it is more than one word:
ReplyDeleteEmbrace the Extraordinary in the Ordinary. It is helping me to be thankful for all of the smallest things in my life that bring me joy and gratitude. Ordinary, momentary, and fleeting,can be very powerful.
breathe. i put this word in a sweet little bird frame in my kitchen windowsill. helps me pause, see beauty and remind myself that i care about myself and those around me, and wish to be a calmer person.
ReplyDeletei love this post! such a nice reminder as the weather cools and we prepare to nest for the cold months...my word would be contentment....and finding pleasure in whatever your circumstances happen to be at the moment....
ReplyDeleteanother great reminder from you maya. great words from each one of the friends here. our most used word lately is Share. with a 2 year and a 4 year old home we need all to re learn that meaning! And of course my favorite: ENJOY
ReplyDeletePart of my "being in the present" initiatives has been to be on the computer less, which means checking my blogs and webcoms less, so this is the first I've seen of your blogs in probably over a month. I'm glad I caught it. I've missed you! But I still don't think I will check up any more often. I'm so much more productive without my compy on. Maybe my words, mantra, whatever you want to call it, would be "TURN IT OFF!"
ReplyDeletethe word "Now" has been very helpful to me for sometime. I repeat it silently in my head to bring me directly into the moment and out of yesterday, tomorrow, next week, next year....whatever. It always surprises me how quickly and easily it works....something so simple :)
ReplyDeleteMine would be "Savor", life gets so busy, but it is necessary to savor the moments.
ReplyDeleteI especially like your word "listen." To my home, I would add the words "be still" (and know that I am God). When we are "still," we "listen" better, I think.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inspiration to live each day to the hilt.
Jody
"Live"
ReplyDeleteI know I am guilty of not fully "living" life. It would be the perfect reminder to not take everthing so seriously, loosen up, and at be a bit more carefree!
Thank you for this gentle reminder. I woke up this morning in amazement that another Friday was upon us.
ReplyDeleteI love the thought of little words tucked about the house.
So many great prompts have been suggested. I would choose "Be".
I hope that my husband doesn't see the 'clean this' idea...
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful idea. I love this. Right now, my word would be 'celebrate.'
ReplyDeleteThis is really lovely. I love 'listen', and I think I would also use 'give' and 'be'. We have had some tragic events happen in the lives of dear friends, and all those words speak to me - being in the present; investing my time and myself to my family and loved ones.
ReplyDeleteI like "breathe," which was already suggested, but I also love "open" and most of all "stretch."
ReplyDeletelove this, maya. my word would be 'calm'. my self, my home, my family, the world around me....
ReplyDeletethis is what I am afraid I have been doing lately - just letting days past, hours vanish, because I have no energy to face the day - i don't tell anyone, as everybody is expecting me to be successful-show-all. so instead of piling up more work, i decided to focus on my health in the coming months. it is a very hard decisions, as I am working from home mom, and it hit me yesterday that if God still wants me to have more work after the detox, He will send some... Maybe I Listened for a change :) THANK YOU for the beautiful reminder.
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