“Only that day dawns to which we are awake.” Henry David Thoreau, Walden
What does it mean to be “awake”?
We train the mind to pay attention to the here and now, to be fully present.
We are often in the future – planning, thinking about what is next or in the past – worrying about what happened, rehashing conversations.
When our mind is in the past or in the future, it is like driving a car with the brakes on – it is inefficient and slows us down.
Why is this a problem? One tragic example of not being fully awake is the person who left his son in the car at the Bart stations recently. I imagine that the baby was quiet and the father was not fully present. He was thinking about the day ahead. This is an extreme example, but I believe it can happen to any of us if we are not awake to our lives.
Four Strategies to Wake Up
1. Ask yourself from time to time, “Am I awake now?”
2. Stop to notice your breath and your body. Take 2 deep breaths and relax.
3. Look around and notice what is around you. Use all of your senses.
4. Notice if your thoughts are in the past or the future and hit the “clear” button.
As a Coach, I help people to wake up and be present for their life. This helps them to be happier, reduce their stress, and be more successful in their work.
Client testimonial:
“I am spending more time on the activities that are most important to me and have set aside old patterns (like worrying too much!) that got in my way. Sue listens, responds, and makes effective suggestions in wonderfully supportive ways. Doesn’t everyone need a coach? From working with Sue, I’m convinced of it. She is helping me to achieve my interpersonal as well as career goals.” P
To learn more about my coaching services, please call or email me.
Sue Schleifer, M.A.
510.269.4434
Sue@Oak-Communications.com
www.Oak-Communications.com
Blog
Sign up for my monthly e-newsletter on my website and receive free articles.