Lost in the Moment

I wonder what activities you do that have you so lost in the moment that you forget everything else and just concentrate on the immediate? It has happened to me twice in my adult life - I suspect it happens much more in childhood but the instances decrease as we grow older and shoulder more responsibilities.

The first time I recall it happening was when I was climbing Mount Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa as it is called in Welsh. About halfway up I stumbled across a hidden lake in a dip and as I looked across it to the stunning scenery beyond, I realised that there was nowhere I wanted to be more than right there at that moment. A combination of stunning views, making sure I stayed upright, a keen desire to reach the summit and remain on the correct path gave me a focus which meant that all the other everyday stuff faded away and I was only aware of the here and now.

This last weekend I climbed Yr Wyddfa for the third time. Work has been fairly full on and what with that and the other general stresses of life there has been a huge amount whirling around my head. It was only after I’d spent the day with my husband, friends and our lovely dog Lyra walking up and down I realised I had not thought about anything else. My head, my heart, my body, indeed my soul, had been fully present in what I was doing – climbing a mountain. It was exactly what I needed, a kind of reset which has enabled me to come into work today with a renewed ability to tackle those things which were of course still waiting for me. A refreshed confidence in my ability to do my job and to bring the challenges back into the perspective they need to be.

It reminded me of the importance of not only holidays and rest but more significantly regular ‘getting lost in the moment’ experiences. Times when I can be fully present in what I am doing or experiencing so that the other pressures and stresses fade away for a time. It also highlighted for me the importance of respite care for those who have far more demanding caring responsibilities than I have.

What is your ‘lost in the moment’ activity? What completely absorbs you so that you forget the other stress and pressure? How often do you get to do it? When can you arrange to do it again?

My other ‘lost in the moment’ activity? I spent a day learning to throw a pot – you have to keep completely focussed on that or the clay flies off in all directions.



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