Missing Out

When you go for a walk in the country, are you able to enjoy what you are doing, “completely”? Do you look around drinking in the beauty of the nature that surrounds you, do you listen to the birds singing, do you enjoy the sun and the fresh air? Or do you rather move along thinking of something else? Your work, your relationship, your affairs? While you are doing so, the pleasure of the stroll is partially lost – although you are unaware of it. The experience is not being totally lived because you are not “present”. You are somewhere else, wherever your thoughts are taking you. This happens every time you do something while your mind is wandering elsewhere. Listening to music while reading a book? Talking on the phone while following a TV program? Thinking about the answer you are going to give while a friend is talking to you? All lost experiences. Is it so bad? It’s certainly not fatal, but you definitely miss out on living “fully”.