Talking Without Hand Gestures is Exciting

September 21, 2007 by dunny.

For starters, thanks to all you loyal readers who are still keeping posted.  I hope you’re not a fence by now!

My glorious reentry to Austin, which somehow worked out to be ACL weekend, has passed.  In some ways, though, I still haven’t returned.  I’m here in body, and I’m certainly here in spirit.  I just tend to trail off from time to time.  I get lost in conversations about simple things…not because I lack interest or feel it’s below me, but because too many small things trigger concrete or spiritual memories without me even realizing it.

I find it ironic that the adventures I’ve had that led me to such discovery of the beauty to be found in the present are the very things that pull me away from the moment.

Even this past weekend, with all the music and people I had looked so forward to seeing on my return, was full of obstacles to my mindfulness.  I would constantly overhear people around me talking about what show to see next or about plans for that night or even (heaven forbid) work, and I would take it as a reminder to just enjoy the place I was in.  All of a sudden, though, I’d be staring at the sky and my mind was back in Mongolia.

One conversation in particular comes to mind.  We had a house party Saturday and I was chatting with some cats I’d just met (by the way, it’s so much easier to talk to new people when they speak the same language as you).  Out of nowhere this van pulls up and out pops a British dude who turned out to be the drummer from Muse.  They stuck around for a while and our discussion turned to what it means to be extraordinary.

It would seem to include challenging oneself constantly, and that’s the direction our talk went, but it wasn’t long before these hypothetical challenges were being materialized into the same cliches we’re all accustomed to…set goals, work hard, set up retirement, have a family, etc.  I couldn’t help but fade from the conversation.  Again, it wasn’t because I lack respect for those who strive for these things in their lives.  They are completely noble pursuits.  They just don’t give me that weightless feeling in my chest, that sudden restoration of faith in humanity.  I was off in Neverland before I knew it.

Then it hit me.

An extraordinary life is one that refuses to be measured by material or concrete things.  An extraordinary life is one that maintains a positive frame of mind, fosters optimism and peace, and exists in constant mindfulness of whatever moment or situation it happens to be in.  Those other things will come.  All the hard work gets just a little easier.  Family comes naturally when you’re smiling.

This by no means is an excuse to be lazy, or to forget the past, or to ignore the potential future.  It’s simply a way to bring all those feelings and experiences and plans back to the mind of the present.  I tried out an exercise that night, and I’d like to share it.  At different times during your day - whether you’re busy or tired or relaxed or excited, whether your telling stories from the past or talking about plans for the future - force yourself to notice one aspect of the moment your in that stands out to you.  Maybe you’ll be telling this great story about something you did years ago, but you’ll still manage to notice that giant spiderweb or even the feel of the chair/ground around you.  Maybe you’ll be making important plans with someone close to you, but you’ll still manage to notice the look on his/her face as yall made them.  Maybe you’ll be wildly busy with something, but you’ll still manage to notice that first breath of morning air.

The important thing is you had something to bring all that energy back to now.  It will multiply.  Think about it…how many times do you set your keys down and forget where they are immediately…or lose an interesting thought you had because something else distracted you…or reach in the wrong pocket and try to pay for a beer at ACL with Kazakh money?  These are all things you suddenly become aware of when you foster your own mindfulness.  You just never know what you might encounter when you’re awake every moment of every day.

That’s super.  Wow wow wee wah!!

Skip, out. (SkipLizard Homepage)

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