I am sick today. Tummy bug. While resting at home, between sleeps I had the chance to catch Oprah. Though not a huge fan today's show featured an intriguing story . It was about a woman who forgot her daughter was in her car. The little girl died tragically after being left in the hot car 8 hours. I don't want to get into "how could a woman do that?" or any argument about the scene. It has passed and it has happened, and it is horribly tragic. Instead, I find that my question is "Why this story on Oprah?"
I think it's because this woman, in the most unfortunate way, learned that each moment in our lives needs to be lived in the present. When distracted by the determination to get to the next moment, getting to work on time, she completely forgot the present, and the consequences were devastating
It brought so many things to surface for the many viewers that watch Oprah in this fast paced world. For me it brought home the necessity of time out for myself and of living in the present.
I have no children, but i do find myself engrossed in this false belief that I must accomplish great feats for humanity to simply justify my existence on God's green earth. That if I multi-task, if I rush from item to item, I will have ticked a kazillion things off of my list and will be a better person for it. What rubbish!
Instead I stress myself out trying to be "super-Jenn". In addition I find that sometimes I even use others to push me forward into my own success, and relationships become tick marks, and work becomes a "stepping stone". Instead of enjoy the day as a gift, I want to maneuver it to some unseen idilic destiny, my glorious goal havens and the "someday" of my future.
Papa used to say "slow down!", I can hear his adamant voice. He was such an observer, I really think he needs more credit for that. He taught me with that type of "living in the present" attitude, he met others where they were at, and never pushed his own agenda for success.
No, no, I do not think that we should all be hermits or live life without relationships. That is against my deepest grain. I do think that perhaps in my life I need a little bit more sanctuary, a teeny bit more solitude, in order to face the 100 mile an hour work week, social life, and goals that I set for myself. I need that time to slow down.
Perhaps todays bout of tummy bug has been the perfect solitude, and quiet I needed. It has at least made me think, reminded me that each day is special. It is special for me, you, every human being, wether hated or loved. It symbolizes life.
If that mother could bring life back to her daughter she would. As sad as it is, she knows the value of living in the present, and I only hope, that from her story we might look at our own lives, and apply that value too.
1 comment:
Nice blog, Jenn. Made me think of a book that I am going to recommend: "Wherever You Go There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life, " by Jon Kabat-Zinn. You will like it. :)
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