Forks and Other Things With Feelings

I had a Yoga and meditation class a long time ago. It feels like a lifetime ago, but there are a lot of things that stuck with me.

Being mindful of everything you do can change your life. The teacher, or leader, gave examples of this. Things like the way you set your fork down beside your plate. If you are fully aware of the fork, and the table, and where you want the fork to be, you will place it gently, and purposefully.

I've tossed things over the years, and afterward felt like I should have been more aware. Maybe this sounds silly, but it can be a good exercise to train you to be fully in the moment.

I wonder, are we tossing the people in our lives? Do you spend real time with your family and friends? I see so many people out to lunch, and everyone is on a cell phone. It makes me wonder why they 1. didn't invite the people on the phones, or 2. even wanted to have lunch together.

When you have a conversation with someone in your family, or someone you live with, do you make eye contact? Do you really listen to them? I can't remember the title, but I saw a play about an entire family who never looked at each other. Throughout the play, they had conversations, and people came and went from the home, and none of them ever made eye contact.

How do we treat the people we see each day? Do we smile? Do we even notice some of them?

Ever had a complete stranger smile at you? Not a creepy smile, but a genuine smile. It can give you a lift. Try it out on someone. Now, imagine getting that from a loved one or friend. A genuine, in the moment, fully-aware-of-you smile, or maybe even a hug.

Tomorrow is a busy day for me, but I am going to call at least one family member just to say hello. I'm going to smile at a stranger, and try to be present and aware of everything I am doing.
And when I set the table, I'm going to be fully aware of the fork in my hand, the table, and where I want the fork to be. We're going to sit down to eat, and I'm going to look my little boy in the eyes and ask him to tell me about his day and savor every word.