I am sitting in a lounge area in the Hilton Resort and Spa in Whistler, the fireplace warms me and a young man plays the baby grand piano. I am here as a keynote speaker and workshop presenter at a conference. My hotel is paid for, dinner is paid for and this could just be another night of killing time and working. Or it could be a time of joy and working, it depends how we look at it. Work doesn’t need to be hard; it can be very enjoyable if we are present to the precious moments in our life.
I love listening to live music. Although the young man is clearly playing for himself and fully enjoying his practice, his energy and love of music fills the air and washes over me.
There are many reasons why we may not be present to the joy of life.
Rushing: I could have just rushed on by to my hotel room like so many other people. I had just driven three hours to Whistler and was tired from the trip. Instead I took a moment to stop and sit down in the chair and listen.
Mind Chatter: I could have been absorbed and worried about delivering my keynote speech; how will I do? Will I be good? God I hope my mind doesn’t go blank, that would be really bad! Many of us have lots of mind chatter that keeps us from noticing the beauty that is right in front of us.
Technology: Computers and smart phones are great to keep us connected to others. At the same time we can get so wrapped up in responding to everyone that has communicated with us electronically that we miss being present to the current moment.
It is a choice to be present to the beauty that surrounds us and the people who are with us. We need to consciously choose to see what is here right in this moment.
As I sit and listen to the music transform the little lounge into a pleasurable heaven for the two of us, I think how grateful I am to have this opportunity to be here in this beautiful hotel. I think of how gorgeous the drive up to Whistler was, the deciduous trees turning color, the clouds hanging against the mountain tops when it stopped raining. It was a spectacular fall day and rather than practicing my speech I drove carefully and manoeuvred each twist in the Sea to Sky highway. It is so lovely to have the ability to choose to be present to what is appearing in the moment, rather than having my mind take over with everything that needs to be done.
Being present is the first step to gratitude in the moment. The next step is to stop, even for a few moments and really take it in. Close your eyes take a deep breath and notice what you feel in your body. This is the true magic of life. Thank you; young man for your love and enjoyment of the piano and creating an opportunity for joy to enter my life.
