The Explorer: September 2003

The Explorer

Volume 1, Issue 4, September 2003

Happy September!

I've noticed that nip in the air that signals the coming of fall. It'll soon be time to plant bulbs, rake leaves, and watch football, but I'm determined to enjoy a bit more summer while it's still here (officially here, at least).

I'm happy to report that our trip to Ireland and Scotland last month was amazing, beautiful, exhilarating, rewarding, refreshing, and...safe. Last month I wrote about those little nagging concerns I get about air travel and exhorted you to "do what scares you." Well, I did it, and it was great! Orie and I even got upgraded to "club class" for our return flight. Talk about a payoff for doing what scares you! Well, that and a wonderful time spent with my family (see below). J

During the past two days I've been at a phenomenal coaching conference -- right here in Columbus. Spending time with great coaches is invigorating and motivating, and I'm looking forward to incorporating some of my new knowledge into my coaching practice. Over the next month, I'll also be adding a program or two to my offerings. More on that next month!

Thanks once again for joining me on this exploration. I look forward to hearing about yours!

Love and Joy,

Be Mindful

"Good-by, Good-by, world. Good-by, Grover’s Corners…Mama and Papa. Good-by to clocks ticking…and Mama’s sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths…and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you…. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? - every, every minute?"

I first saw Thornton Wilder’s play, “Our Town,” as a high school senior, and I was deeply moved by Emily Webb’s impassioned farewell to her time on Earth. Even now, just reading the passage aloud brings tears to my eyes. (I’m not kidding…I have Kleenexes next to me.) She hits upon an all too common truth – we spend a great deal of time rushing around, missing out on the special details of life. When I first saw “Our Town,” I was preparing to leave home for college. I was excited by the idea of learning how to really live life, and I felt that my impending departure placed me on the brink of a new world.

Since then I’ve realized that major life events aren’t the only gateways to new worlds. In fact, each day brings us that opportunity – the opportunity to step into a new world – because each day, the world is new. Opening our eyes to the world around us – each and every day – gives us a fresh new perspective on our surroundings, the people we interact with, and the challenges we may face. Each day we take a few steps along our own life’s road, and we have an opportunity to do that either mindlessly – plodding along a step at a time, not really noticing the sights along the way – or mindfully – aware of each new turn in the path, taking care to smell the roses and feel the warmth of the sun on our faces.

I regret to say that it’s often far too easy to forget to be mindful. We get into routines, even ruts, and fail to look at life anew each day. Too often, we focus on the stresses of life rather than the joys. We get caught up in minute worries and miss out on the bigger picture. We fail to notice the birds chirping outside our windows, the look of love in our partner’s eyes, the ray of sunlight that hits the floor just so. Sadly, these little details of life may get lost in the mix of things to do, places to go, and people to see.

Even in the midst of an amazing journey, we may forget to be mindful. I recently returned from a fantastic trip to Ireland and Scotland with my family. We saw gorgeous landscapes, visited many historical sites, and toured many, many castles. I’m a big fan of castles – I love to imagine what it would be like to live there, walking the grounds each day, looking out to sea… I have to admit, though, that after a while they start to blur a bit in my mind. (Was that painting in Duart Castle or Malahide Castle? Or was it Inverary? Holyrood?) However, one castle in particular will always stand out for me. As we approached the stone entryway of Cawdor Castle (near Inverness, Scotland), my attention was drawn to the family crest above the gate. The family’s simple motto was displayed: “Be Mindful.” Talk about a reminder!

Each room in Cawdor Castle has an 8½” x 11” typed description of the contents, written by the late Lord Cawdor IV. By this point in the journey, it wouldn’t have been surprising if we had skipped reading the lengthy descriptions – we’d seen a lot of castles, a lot of fine art, and a lot of beautiful furnishings. Instead, thanks to the reminder to “Be Mindful,” we paid a little more attention…and we were greatly rewarded! It turns out that the late Lord Cawdor IV had a fantastic sense of humor! Sprinkled amongst the detailed descriptions were witty comments, jokes, and – every once in a while – a question for the reader: “Are you still paying attention?”

It’s not often that we get such blatant reminders to be mindful. And, the payoff of being mindful isn’t always a good laugh. Sometimes it’s a newfound appreciation for something we encounter everyday, such as the aroma of coffee. Sometimes it’s a feeling of peace and calm, such as when we look out over a still lake. Sometimes it’s renewed energy and motivation, such as when we breathe deeply and stretch our arms to the sky. I find that the days I take a few moments out to really soak in my environment are the days that really stick with me. Those are the days that I feel GOOD. When I take the time to breathe – just breathe – for a bit, I find that I see the world through a happier lens. That mindfulness – that focus on the moment – gives me a sense that all is right with the world – even if I was feeling stressed just moments before.

Need another example? I was recently asked, “What does ‘Be Mindful’ mean to you?” My answer? A dear friend gave me a prism that I’ve hung in my hall window. On a sunny day, light hits the prism and sends showers of rainbows cascading down my stairs and over the hardwood floor. If I spend a weekend afternoon cleaning the house, I’ll be proud of my accomplishment when I’m done. However, if I spend a weekend afternoon cleaning the house and I notice the rainbows – taking a few moments to appreciate their beauty and think about my dad (who loved rainbows) – I’ve turned a simple day of cleaning into something absolutely magical. To me, “Be Mindful” means this: Notice the rainbows. Appreciate the rainbows. Look for more of them. The world IS wonderful. Realize that while you live life – really live it – every, every minute.

How to Be Mindful

“Be Mindful” means different things to different people. Here are a few of my favorite ways to get in touch with the moment.

Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Repeat. Feel the air fill your lungs when you inhale, and feel the tension flow out of you when you exhale.
Pay attention to the aroma of your food – I highly recommend breathing in the smell of any kind of citrus fruit (especially grapefruit), a just-opened glass bottle of your favorite soda (especially Trader Joe’s cream soda), or a freshly brewed pot of coffee (especially Celtic Grog).
Sit by a body of water, whether a lake, river, stream, or waterfall, and listen to the sound of the water. If you’re landlocked, get a great nature sounds CD or a desktop fountain, and listen with your eyes closed. Imagine you’re by the most beautiful waterfall you’ve ever seen.
Pet your cat or dog. Feel how soft the fur is under your fingertips. Don’t have a cat or dog? Visit the local Humane Society and cuddle one that’s waiting to be adopted.
Sit on your front porch, your deck, or your balcony and watch the world go by. Watch the birds, the flowers, the cars. Notice the movement of the clouds…the way the grass sways in the breeze…the way the rain hits the pavement.
Have a mindful conversation with someone you care about. How does that work? Click here for free access to an activity I use in my mindfulness workshops, and try out some mindful conversation.

What does “Be Mindful” mean to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. In fact, I’ll compile a list of your thoughts and experiences and post it on my website next month…

Sunset in Oban, Scotland

Ready to begin living more mindfully?

Want to find out how to get what you want more quickly, more joyfully, and with less effort?

Let's talk. It's free. Click here.

Life Navigation Coaching
find your direction, plan your journey

Lisa M. Evans, Ph.D. (with her Grandpa in Edinburgh!)

(614) 262-8820

lisa@lifenavigationcoaching.com

www.lifenavigationcoaching.com

The Explorer is published more or less monthly to inspire curious people – people who love to explore, discover, and learn – to go out and get what they want. It is written by Lisa M. Evans, Ph.D., of Life Navigation Coaching, who coaches people to close the gap between where they are and where they want to be.

You can contact Lisa at (614) 262-8820 or by e-mail at lisa@lifenavigationcoaching.com.

Visit Life Navigation Coaching at www.lifenavigationcoaching.com to learn more about life coaching, Lisa, and opportunities for you.

You may use material from The Explorer in whole or in part, provided you include the complete attribution, including a live web site link and e-mail link. Please inform me when and where the material will appear.

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