Today is Veteran’s Day. They have a special place in my heart. Once upon a time, I worked at the RI Vet’s Home heading up their Physical Therapy Clinic. It was a challenging job filled with Joy & Love. The men ranged from WWII to Vietnam Vets and their demeanors ranged from over the top ornery to loving and grateful. One man in particular won my heart. Mr. G. had had multiple strokes. He could only move his right side and very slightly and he could not speak at all but he communicated with passion through his tender loving eyes. I found myself spending extra time with him ~ often finding him sitting alone in the sun during the summer or the lobby during the winter ~ on my way out of work.
By Staying Present, I in-joyed my conversations with Mr. G. Yes, they took extra time. Yes, I was often heading somewhere else. Yes, Fridays at quitting time, during my twenties, I would be on my way to happy hour. But, Time always seemed to create itself for these special moment!
Staying Present at the RI Vets Home
The Best way to Get Everything Done is to stay present and open to the lessons and love of the moment. 
It spearheads you to finishing that ‘to-do’ list and bring you Joy in the process. When you feel rushed or too busy, when the momentum of life is on full throttle, that is EXACTLY when you have to slow down and focus on the moment. Here are some suggestions:
1) Stop Looking at Your Smart Phone when doing a task or in conversation. It will make you dumb. It takes you away from being in the moment. It takes you away from seeing the signs around you. It takes you away from the task at hand. It slows down getting things done!
2) Embrace Curiosity & Wonder. When working on a project, when engaged in a conversation, when trying to solve a dilemma look at it with curiosity. Allow your mind to say “I wonder what I will learn?”, “I wonder what answer will come to make this happen?”, “I am curious how the words will come to this page?” (Yes, I just asked that of me during writing this!)
3) Focus on The Desired Outcome. What do you want out of the task at hand? Are you hastily grocery shopping or are you focused on the nutritious meal you are going to be making for your family? Try focusing on that in the market next time ~ it will shift everything!
4) Stay Present & sink into your heart Space. We are coming up on the Holiday season when we will be spending time with family and loved one’s ~ often this will test our patience. By staying present and sinking into your heart space, miracles will happen. I was not focusing on getting to happy hour when talking with Mr. G. I was focused on his smile and his thoughts. You know happy hour can get a 20 year old in trouble sometimes. I know Mr. G’s love guided my decisions! Sink into that heart space, miracles will happen!
5) Smile. Did you know it takes less muscles and energy to smile than it does to frown? When you smile, you stay in the moment and make a task more in-joyable and easier to find answers to any challenges that may appear.
Are you able to see that by staying present you will be able to get everything done? What Tips do you have on staying Present?
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So true Laura, thank you for the reminder to stay present! I can get so dang side tracked at times and find my mind drifting, dreaming and running after shining objects. I have just recently started taking GABA at night before bed and I am finding my attention is more focused.
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Laura Clark Reply:
November 11th, 2014 at 2:08 pm
GABA will certainly help. I know too well the running after shining objects that float into our purview when we are focused on a task or in conversation. My pencil and pad now overflow with ideas~ especially those that come at night ~ and then it’s back to focus!!!! KEEP SMILING, Lisa!!
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Comment by Lisa Marie Rosati — November 11, 2014 @ 9:22 am
Staying present and being mindful sometimes seems like a thing of the past. I can’t tell you how many friends I surprise when I take out my phone and shut it off when I arrive. I see 3 or 4 people eating together not even glancing up from their phones and I sometimes wonder if they are chatting online with people at the table and then laugh to mysef.
Practicing being really present completely up leveled my own life and I often teach strategies to my clients to do so because so many people feel scattered as they often put it.
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Laura Clark Reply:
November 12th, 2014 at 9:07 am
Bonnie~ too true! I put a $50 bill on the table with a group of 6 women for dinner last month. I told them that it belonged to the person who last picked up their phones. It jumped back into my wallet at the end of the evening! If you are going to go out to dinner with me, then you are going with me and not your entire FB/Twitter/Family community! (Yes, of course the child calling in is one thing and that’s why children and spouses should have their own ring tones 😉
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Comment by Bonnie Copeland — November 11, 2014 @ 5:40 pm
I’m always amazed at the way time seems to expand when I manage to engage fully with the present. It’s like taking a vacation from “the shoulds” and reveling in “the now” — which is always lovely. Thanks for a timely post.
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Laura Clark Reply:
November 12th, 2014 at 9:19 am
Andrea ~ I so like your phrasing of that! Time does and it is like a vacation from the mind gremlins!!! 🙂
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Comment by Andrea — November 12, 2014 @ 8:51 am
Loved this Laura! It goes along with my theme this year which is “pleasant and present.” I especially liked #3, focus on the desired outcome. I tend to just go through the motions when it comes to doing things I don’t like to do, like shopping and cooking. But looking at it another way, it becomes way more enjoyable.
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Laura Clark Reply:
November 12th, 2014 at 9:55 am
you are exactly, right, Lisa!!!! In-Joying things ~ even the day to day tasks ~ allows us to get everything done and expands time!!!
I love your theme for the year too 🙂
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Comment by Lisa Wells — November 12, 2014 @ 9:40 am
Hi Laura,
My morning yoga practice and morning pages help me start my day off in the moment, present to Source and my True Nature. The unraveling of all that I thought was true is a joyful experience.
Blessings,
Peggy
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Comment by Peggy — November 12, 2014 @ 10:28 am
Thank you Laura, for this reminder. It is what I needed to hear today. It also reminded me to stay true to myself by keeping things simple. Simplicity is a huge value I hold.
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Comment by Nadia — November 12, 2014 @ 11:11 am
I can so relate to your five points Laura. It’s how I live my life. Also your story made me think of a moment the other day when I struck up a conversation with a homeless vet as I was waiting for the bus to come home after a busy day. It was such a profound conversation that only lasted about 15 minutes but will stay with me always. Many thanks.
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Laura Clark Reply:
November 12th, 2014 at 1:25 pm
15 minutes will shift both of your lives, Cali! Thankyou for taking the time to be present with a Vet! Blessings.
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Comment by Cali — November 12, 2014 @ 12:55 pm
Staying present is something I have been guided by Spirit to expand in my life lately and appreciate all the tips you and others share here. I find when I am getting to a place of unfocus that taking three long deep breaths helps recenter me and brings me back into the present and feeling connected to the present.
I am in full agreement that cell phones are a great distraction to many of us and it really is good to shut them off , unplug and give our full attention to that which we are engaged in and if we find we are not able to do that then really how engaged are we?
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Laura Clark Reply:
November 13th, 2014 at 9:03 am
Indeed, Donna, intentional breath work is very grounding and centering especially when you can draw in bright light into the chakra that is of challenge! Wishing you a season of staying Present to the Gifts it brings!
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Comment by Donna Marie — November 12, 2014 @ 9:41 pm
Being present, filled with wonder and embracing curiosity do almost made time stand still. Today in my Dad’s birthday – he is gone now and has been for a few years but I am always grateful that I paused and found time to hear his stories and have those special conversations. Thank you Laura for being present for Mr. G and all veterans at the RI Vet’s home. May everyone have someone like you be present in their life this week – what a gift that would be to the world.
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Comment by Cindy — November 13, 2014 @ 8:30 pm
What a nice tribute to veterans! Plus, a similar theme to mine for the week. I appreciate your list — all great suggestions!
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Laura Clark Reply:
November 17th, 2014 at 10:08 am
Sheila ~ Vets deserve so very much ~ as do all of us!!! Glad you appreciated the reminder list 🙂
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Comment by Sheila Callaham — November 14, 2014 @ 1:00 pm
How beautiful, Laura. I’ve noticed that you have a special reverence for veterans and I enjoyed learning more about your connections. Among my favorite of your suggestions to be in the moment is asking yourself, “I wonder what I will learn?” Just thinking about using it before a project or experience gets me excited!
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Laura Clark Reply:
November 18th, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Lori!! I used that phrase just this morning before I picked up the phone to make a call to a vendor and I learned a lot and it turned out great! Yes, I do have a special reverence for vets ~ they give so much to all of us!
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Comment by Lori Nash Byron — November 18, 2014 @ 12:01 pm
Love the list, Laura. It is so necessary to stay present, isn’t it. I’ve that, for me, that is the one prerequisite to being able to do things from the heart. Thanks for sharing the 5 tips.
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Laura Clark Reply:
November 19th, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Yes….lilia….you are right!! When we know our heart ~ our soul ~ it is easy to stay present and act in courage!
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Comment by Lilia Lee — November 19, 2014 @ 10:26 am