In today's world, in the year 2024, there are so many distractions in daily life that it is hard to slow down and focus on one's own well-being. We are constantly being pulled in different directions, and it seems as though there is never enough time in the day to accomplish all of our goals. As we race to keep up with our tasks each day, it becomes difficult to pause and be mindful of each moment. We get caught up in the have to's, the should be's, the need to's, etc. I hesitate to quote from the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off (as it is quite overused, and I have probably discussed it in previous blog entries already), but it still holds true. "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." As such, it is imperative that we make an effort to pause and appreciate everything that is in the present moment.
The other day I was walking around my neighborhood thinking how nice it was to "just be." What I mean by that is, it was nice to just pause, breathe, and be present in the moment. I was noticing the warm sun on my skin (which can be a rarity in the fall months in Michigan). I was enjoying looking at halloween decorations, and watching neighborhood kids playing with their friends. I did not have anywhere I needed to be at the moment, or anything I needed to do. I was not in a rush, as I usually am, and I was able to leisurely walk through the neighborhood, as though I did not have a care in the world. (I did, of course, as we all do, but during this walk I was able to put those worries aside). I was being intentional about being aware of my surroundings, using my senses to appreciate my environment, and focus outwardly, rather than inwardly. It is a precious gift to appreciate the world around us, for those of us that are able to use our senses to do so. For example, we can enjoy the taste of sweet chocolate chip cookies, the relaxing feel of a warm shower, the scent of roses, the melodic sound of children laughing, and the sight of the vast blue ocean.
During my walk, I was able to let go of the need to think about anything other than what I was doing at the present time. I was able to be happy with what was happening in that moment, and not worry about what would be, or what had been. I think we all get to a point in our lives where we just want things to quiet down. We want less chaos, less stress, and less uncertainty. We want things to be simpler, whether it be our jobs, our relationships, or our health. Maybe it is getting older that brings this to the forefront of our minds, realizing that life will end at some point in time, and wanting our days until then to be peaceful and rewarding. Or maybe it is having enough life experience to realize that happiness can be hard to come by, and that worry is hard to avoid, and so we learn to be grateful for the joy that we do have.
Speaking of worry, there is nothing like a natural disaster to exacerbate one's worry. Last week, a hurricane was headed towards my family in Florida. While they were dealing with preparing for the impending hurricane, all I could do was sit back in Michigan and hope for the best. I watched news reports all night, and kept in contact through phone calls and texts, but there was nothing I could do but wait. It was all out of my control. (It was out of everyone's control, of course). All I could do was just be...just be patient, just be calm, and just be present. A hurricane is a great reminder of how things can change in an instant, and how lucky we are when there is no immediate crisis to manage. We learn to relish in the quiet moments, where we get to be grateful that we are able to just be.
Last week, a day or so after the hurricane had hit, I watched the live-streaming of a sermon that was given by a local Rabbi on the holiday of Yom Kippur. He made reference to the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin. He said that a better way of thinking about the name of that song is, "Worry, and Be Happy." Worry is an unavoidable emotion that is part of being human. Yet, it is necessary to be able to be happy even amidst our worries. (It should be acknowledged that, separate from typical worry, many people struggle with persistent worry and anxiety that is hard to control and interferes with daily life. Psychological services from a professional can help one learn to better manage this prevalent mental health issue.) In regards to the sermon, Rabbi stated that, with everything that goes on in today's world, and in our lives, we "can't just be miserable and scared and angry all the time" because this negatively impacts our relationships, and our lives. He spoke of how we have the capacity to choose to be happy and to find joy even in the hard times. (This idea is actually similar to the entries in this blog, which I started in 2013, to highlight the importance of finding the silver linings even in challenging situations). Rabbi explained that it is actually "a mitzvah to enjoy your life". A mitzvah is the Hebrew word for a good deed, with the literal translation being a commandment to be performed as a religious duty. As the Rabbi discussed, we have an obligation to appreciate and enjoy our lives. We should do so, even in times of difficulty and stress. Or perhaps, especially in times of difficulty and stress.
I might add, in addition to needing to appreciate our lives and the joy that comes with it, we have the opportunity, and the right, to "just be." Today, while waiting at an appointment, I overheard a lovely 91 year old woman talking to her husband. She was laughing and joking with those around her, and seemed quite content to be there, just sitting in the waiting room. I thought to myself, I want to be just like her at that age, and hope that I get that opportunity. I hope we can all be like her...to just be present, to just be patient, to just be open to seeing what happens, to just be in the moment, and to just be ourselves.
