Can you remember when you were a kid? Go back as far as you can. Remember when everything was new? The ever unfolding brand new parade of stimulus for your senses to experience. Exploring the world around you; feeling new fabrics, and textures; exciting new food to taste; new smells and scents from everything; new situations to deal with and learn from. In general, your sense of perception back then was considerably magnified compared to your senses most of the time today. Have you ever thought about why?It is only natural for our perception to be heightened when our level of expectation is very low. In other words, the less you think you know what's going to happen next, the more aware and alert of the present moment you are. As a result, perception is heightened when your focus is in the present. People tend to enjoy themselves a lot more in the present moment as well.
Think about it yourself. You will notice that the newness of the moment is the secret ingredient in everything you enjoy. Are you a sports fan? You can't appreciate a game without being in the newness of the moment. Like to travel? The joy of traveling to new places is in the newness of the experience. Do you like to dance? Do you like music? How about movies, books, parties, meeting people, web surfing, everything! There is nothing that you can enjoy without acknowledging it in the present moment. You connect with life in the present moment.
So what's new? What is new? Of course 'new' has many uses and relative definitions but it is no coincidence that 'new' and 'now' have similar word origins. In order to be new, something must have just stepped out of the now; the present moment.
We often hear of people chasing their 'inner child'. It is easy to see why. The feeling of everything being brand new; the heightened perception; the zest for life; the wide eyed perspective; and the fun loving spirit are all still within you right now.
All it takes to bring it to life is attention. Focus navigates...
Posts
4 comments:
HI C OM
Adorbel picture :-) and I SO agree. ANd may I add that I have learned to consider "the kid in me" - Annie in every decision I make. It changed my life for the better - 100%. :-)
Love to you
Gail/Annie
peace na dhope.....
i find that the world looks brand new after i gave birth to my son and watched him take in all the joys and sorrows of life in this world. it's a real eye-opener. :)
You will notice that the newness of the moment is the secret ingredient in everything you enjoy.
This may well be true for most neurotypical individuals, but, as an Aspie, I can tell you it's not always true for me. I actually enjoy repetition. Many of my favorite books and movies are those that I read/watch over and over and over again. Many of the activities I enjoy the most are those that I did yesterday and the day before that and the day before that (always in the same order in the same way).
When I try new things, it is often with a sense of trepidation. If I make it through okay, then I'll find joy the SECOND or THIRD time I do it, but not the first.
Gail,
Thank you! I'm glad. :-)
Iktomi,
Exactly! I can relate. :-)
Rambling Taoist
I understand and completely agree with what you're saying. People truly are creatures of habit. But even enjoying a habit or doing things repeatedly, takes place in the present moment. If your consciousness was a camera, it would be forever rolling. Even if you've done something a 100 times or you're simply remembering it in your mind, your attention only works in the newness of the present moment. There's no escaping it.
Post a Comment