Be Here Now

I finally had the opportunity to read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.  It’s a timeless classic that I’ve heard everybody from Oprah to other avid readers rave about for years.  One of the lessons from the book strongly relates to the concept of “Be here now”. The simple concept requires you to be fully present and aware in the moment without distraction.  If we’re present in body but distracted by other things, we aren’t fully experiencing what’s happening right in front of us or what’s being communicated to us in that moment.  When we’re distracted with thoughts of the past or the future, we lose our ability to be present in the moment.  This can have a negative impact on our relationships, our creativity and our overall quality of life.

Advances in technology have made it easier for us to multi-task while we’re on the go.  While it may be necessary sometimes, it makes it more difficult for us to maintain a sense of balance and focus on the present.  When we begin to quiet our minds, we aren’t as distracted by worry, judgment, self-doubt or insecurity.  This provides the greatest opportunity for maximizing effectiveness and life fulfillment.  As we strive to manage our busy lives, it’s important to increase our awareness of this concept. 

There are several benefits of practicing the “Be here now” concept including:

• Improved balance of personal and professional life
• More fulfilling relationships
• Decreased stress and increased peace of mind
• Better creativity
• Increased productivity and quality

I had the opportunity to experience a “Be here now” moment recently at my 11 year old son’s last little league baseball game.  They advanced to play for the championship, and although they didn’t win the game, this was probably his best performance all season.  The memories of that night will stay with me forever because I was present in the moment.  Armed with my iPhone, I captured this shot of him stealing home for his team’s first run of the night.  If I had allowed the distractions of constant e-mail and text message alerts, comments about the how hot it was that day, or the roars from parents attending one of the other games in progress at the same time to creep in, I would have missed it.  On the ride home, my son asked if we saw him steal home. I shared this picture and witnessed his reaction. It was priceless.  I guess he was so focused on making it to home plate safely that he missed me yelling “That’s my baby!!”.

If the stressors in your life rob you of the opportunity to be more present in the moment, our counselors are here to help.   Methodist Healthcare EAP is staffed with licensed counselors who offer support in a confidential setting, free of charge.  Please call 901-683-5658 if you or a member of your household would like to schedule an appointment.

Author: Karole Shorter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Employee Assistance Professional with over 15 years of counseling experience.  She received her Masters in Social Work from Florida State University in 1998.  She has been a counselor at Methodist Healthcare EAP for over nine years.