365 True Things: 108/Consciousness

The other day in my Questing group, we were talking about, among other things, that tiniest of moments that occurs after we experience a stimulus and before we respond to it. The specific context was the Internet, and how very easy it is to get sucked into the ether and waste time, simply because we stop paying attention. That split second when, if we are paying attention, we can exercise free will and resist we dubbed MIND THE GAP. We all agreed it might serve as a useful mantra.

I've got all sorts of good intentions about being more conscious—including sitting and meditating, of course, but even just mindfully washing the dishes or working in the garden (or writing this blog). The key is mindfulness: and actively exercising that capability, as if it were a muscle. Which in a way it is. It's certainly a source of power, but only if it's in good shape.

So I hereby remind myself once again to MIND THE GAP. It's important!

Mary Oliver again:

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIVING A LIFE:

PAY ATTENTION.

BE ASTONISHED.

TELL ABOUT IT.