Let me bring to light a couple different perspectives that make all the difference:
That extra 10 seconds to brush your teeth to promote oral health. That extra 10 seconds to wipe down the counters in your kitchen so they aren’t 90% clean but 100%. That extra 10 seconds you take to vacuum the corners and hard to reach spots In the apartment. the extra 10 seconds it takes to stop what you’re doing and appreciate a long held kiss with you significant other. That extra 10 seconds you take to ask one more question to someone who really needs someone to hear them out. That extra 10 seconds it takes to breath and realize what is actually in front of us. That extra 10 seconds it takes to send a appreciation text to a loved one in the heat of a busy work day.
That extra 30 minutes it takes to make things right when some things need to be said/discussed to move past a frustrating conflict with someone. That extra 30 minutes it takes when urgent matters arise in our life and we need to put our attention toward them to make things right. Staying up just 30 minutes longer past our bed times to make matters right when personal things arise that need to be worked through. That extra 30 minutes it takes to take a long hot shower/bath with a candle to get the mind right.
All of these situations bring to light some fundamental concepts of quality of life. Attention to detail. Presence in the fast paced environment that our society promotes. Being able to stick to the plan of life but still being able to stay present/flexible through moments that sometimes aren’t expected. Quality attention toward who and what is actually in front of us.
Do you want to be sitting in bed at the end of the day feeling like you rushed through every activity or every interaction you had? Its good for us to to understand that people are not going to have peace of mind at all moments. We all experience racing thoughts at one point or another. How do we come back to presence and bring awareness to this present moment living so the responsibilities and stresses of life don’t put us in hyperdrive? Understanding that taking that extra 30 seconds to stare someone in the eyes, give them a smile, exchanging a few words and genuinely showing that we’re here and the physical presence of a human is one of the highest valued concepts we should have in our minds as humans.
In this tech age, interaction in person can naturally be devalued. We’re used to instant text messages. Instant pleasure from Amazon delivery, door dash, social media scrolling through pictures. This can naturally make us devalue the actual presence of someone right in front of you. Let’s wake up America. Someone right in front of you is worth 100 times more than someone sending a text. We have to realize physical presence and what you see with your eyes right now needs to trump technology.
Take that extra 30 seconds to show your loved one appreciation before you close your eyes and sleep. Take that extra 30 minutes to make things right when they aren’t feeling right. Take that extra 30 seconds to organize your bathroom sink so it doesn’t get messier and messier every single day. Take that extra 30 minutes to call your grandmother and ask her about her week. Take that extra 30 seconds to put your clothes in the dirty basket versus on the floor of your room. That extra 30 minutes to play a game with your family that brings you close and creates experience that you will never forget.
The list goes on.
Take that extra time and realize when things need your attention. These things are right in front of you. Breathe slow. stay present. That extra 30 seconds will change your life.
THE_HUMAN_EXPERIMENT1993 