Showing Up: February 18 - 24

According to Woody Allen, "80% of success is showing up." And in the contest of life, you have to be present to win. Take a moment to ponder these words.

Before COVID, I didn't think much about showing up. I went to work, ran with friends, and had dinner with family. I mostly showed up by being in the same room with others. These days, I interact with more people through Zoom, texts, apps, and emails than in real life. I can easily spend a whole day in the presence of my dog and no one else.

If mindfulness is about paying attention then it is important to consider how I'm showing up for others whether physically, virtually, emotionally, or spiritually. Am I actively listening, giving my full attention, and connecting emotionally? Or am I in two places at once, multitasking on my phone while mentally jumping to the next thing? I am so easily distracted these days. At first, I thought it was because I'm getting older. Now I think it has more to do with the relentless pace of technology and the constant bombardment for my attention. Why is it so much harder to stay focused?

Practice

Showing up in an underappreciated skill. Develop it by taking the time to show up for yourself daily. Actively listen to your life and the concerns of your heart. Give your full attention to your breath and the wisdom of your body. Connect to the earth, the season, the present moment.

Gather your thoughts and settle into stillness. Show up by connecting with the breath and the life force within. Allow the concerns of the day to come and go. You can attend to them later but for now there is nothing to do and no place to be. Enjoy your own company. Be fully present to the here and now. Drink in the stillness as you would a cup of tea on a cold winter's day. Linger as long as you wish. Bow internally, and honor yourself for showing up. Resume the day but every now and then pay attention to the breath as a reminder of the quiet place always available within.