My apologies for another late Thursday's Children post - between the day job and my youngest son's spring break, it's been a little chaotic around here.
But, I'm finally here, and I'd like to talk about now. Let's make that NOW.
I had a yoga instructor and she'd always remind the class (usually while I was trying not to hurt myself or anyone else while attempting posed like The (advanced) Crow) to "Be here. Be present."
And I'd think to myself, "Well, duh. I'm here. I'm present. Can you not see me trying to keep my knee from going up my nose?"
But I wasn't present. Not really. I was thinking about Savasana (also known as The Corpse pose. No irony there... o.O). I was thinking about the last joyous five to ten minutes of class where I could just lay on my mat and know that I didn't have to try to contort my body into questionable positions or worry about kicking my neighbor in the face.
I wasn't really present in The Crow or any other pose. Not the way I should have been. I just wanted to move through the class and get on with the rest of my day. I enjoyed yoga infinitely more once the class was over, but I know I didn't get the most out of my classwork, because I wasn't really there. My mind was too busy racing ahead toward all of the things I needed to complete.
Often times, I think it's really easy to slip into the same trap with writing. I find myself slipping into future mode and entertaining thoughts like "When I finish this book..." or "When I get an agent..." or "When I sell this book..." instead of focusing on the here and now.
By doing that, I'm robbing myself of the now. The now is equally important - perhaps more so. The now is about getting to know my new characters, discovering their story, learning things about them and also making new discoveries about myself. The now is about the writing, the journeying - not skipping to the end and laying boneless on my yoga mat.
Without being here in the now, the future is a little hazier. And I have a feeling it won't be as satisfying without being present on the journey to get there.
So, I'm going to go back to my WIP and really enjoy the journey.
And who knows, I might even give yoga another go.
Don't forget to check out the Blog Hop, and join in, too!
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I have a really hard time being "present" unless the situation is extremely pleasurable, or extremely unpleasurable (like having a tooth filled or something). But you've inspired me to try a little harder - as I go back to my WIP :)
ReplyDeleteI have exactly the same problem - it's something I have to work at consciously.
DeleteThis is me. To an exact 'T', except I am pretty sure I would've given myself a bloody nose and or/broke my groin in the process of attempting to do the pose, so props to you!Sometimes I am thinking so much into the future that I don't do anything in the present! Thank you so much for this post, for real!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know that I'm not the only yoga challenged one! :D And you're welcome! :D
DeleteI soooo needed to hear this! I'm struggling with being present in my WiP and I can't quite put my finger on why. Thanks for this reminder! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm having the same issue with one of mine. It's making me a little crazy at the moment.
DeleteA very important lesson and I am also in that boat with my WIP. Too many distractions and I keep thinking about marketing or twitter or making sure my blog is known. I *really* need to spend some time with my WIP and become nice and cozy! I can't stop giggling about knees up the nose though. ;) Thanks for sharing and glad to have discovered you while hopping the blogs. :D
ReplyDeleteIt's really tough to find that balance and when you toss real life into the mix, it's even trickier! I'm so glad I discovered you, too! :D
DeleteThis is so true and something I tend to forget in both writing and life in general (particularly when things aren't going well). Living in the now means not wishing for what might be in the future - it's making those things happen instead.
ReplyDelete"Living in the now means not wishing for what might be in the future - it's making those things happen instead." - Well said, Kate!!!
DeleteVery true! I tend to get caught up in the business side things, and forget the story. Now is what's important. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome and thank you for stopping by! :)
DeleteI completely agree: writing a novel is about the journey. Over the last few weeks, as I'm getting closer to my goals, I've actually come to really appreciate the "now" because when I have an agent/get my book published/etc, things will be different from what they are now (as in: I write what I want, when I want, without much pressure). Great post!
ReplyDeleteThings will be different, but I'm hoping they'll be amazing for you! :D
DeleteLove this! Come to think of it, I need to go "be present" with my WIP, too. Thanks for giving me the kick in the ass I needed!
ReplyDeleteI've got my kicking boots on (okay...flip flops) and I'm happy to help! :D
DeleteHaha. All I'll leave you with is a quote from Yoda, who was trying to get Luke to focus on the present moment:
ReplyDelete"This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away… to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing."
Then he *pokes* Luke with his cane!
Good luck!
:D Awesome and much appreciated, John!
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ReplyDeleteSo true! But something I quite often forget. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I used to think we had so much in common. But, yoga? That pose looks insane.
We still have a ton in common. Besides...I'm not good at yoga. :D
ReplyDelete