I was out running last week and noticed something. Although I was looking forward to getting out to run all morning, when I finally hit the road my thoughts were on other things I had to do later that day. Later in the afternoon while working on the project I thought about during my run, my mind kept thinking about something I had to do the next day. Are you starting to get the picture? No big surprise, but I am one of those card carrying people who tend to live in the future. Fortunately, I am not one to dwell on the past but I seem to be firmly fixed on the future. You might say that this is a sign of a planner or someone who is goal oriented and while that might be true I really do have a difficult time being in the present. And I am not alone. Doers or achievers tend to focus on the future. The problem is we tend to miss what is going on around us.
Sometimes we have good reason to avoid the present. Visualize getting a tooth drilled at the dentist office and you can understand why we all have a tendency to disassociate at times. The dentist analogy is a good one since it involves removing ourselves from a present pain or discomfort by thinking elsewhere. The big problem with this habit is it robs us of our experiences. When you are going full throttle deep into an Ironman and in pain you should not seek escape but learn to embrace the moment. Eric talks about giving up your energy. When we are pushed to our perceived limits there is much to be gained by staying in the present. It is precisely during moments like these that we can truly learn what we're all about. Do not anesthetize the feelings. We have all heard or read about people who have pressed on in the most dire circumstances by having a strong internal focus that was almost hypnotic.
Now this is not a plea to "stop and smell the roses". What we need to think about is when we have our sites set doggedly on the future we might not see our present screaming at us. Situations such as the fact that we are burned out and need to back off for a couple of days, or that sore knee is really trying to tell us something, or we really need to stop and listen to what our significant other is trying to say are examples of the need to be in the present.
There are devices we can all learn to use that help anchor us to the present. Depending on your makeup you could try yoga, meditation or prayer. If any of these work you will find a greater enjoyment right now. After all, now is all there is.
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