The irony is that being present with our feelings, no matter how intense or painful they are, helps us to decharge them. Those feelings and memories then lose their power to haunt us. In other words, the monster within loses its bite when we spend a little time with it. Instead of considering an idle moment as a waste of time, think of it as a rich experience to be savored. Idle moments actually create time.
Relationships become stronger and more intimate.
Being present in the moment also reduces errors since you are focusing on one thing at a time. The slower pace takes some conscious effort to achieve, yet the reward is a more fulfilling life. With the fork in my hand, I will be thinking about what to do next, and the texture and flavor of the dessert, together with the pleasure of eating it, will be lost. I will always be dragged into the future, never able to live in the present moment. Copryight 1997 by Jennifer Baltz, all rights reserved.