Auckland - defined by "NOW!"

Many of my years have been lived in Auckland - that sprawling ocean-encircled place with so much going on.  Gigs, exhibitions, shows, sports fixtures and tons of events happen in Auckland.  And shops.  Shops are to Auckland what spots are to cheetahs - quite defining.  Somehow cities invoke a crazy cycle of work, spend, work some more, spend a bit too much and work to catch up.

We want everything, right now.

Catching up with some Auckland mates over the past few days, there seemed to be an energizingly new golden thread through all the conversations.  Maybe my ears were tuned to it because it's the life lesson I'm learning at the moment, it seems this new anthem is rising in people who are wanting a more significant life.  It is a different take on the 'now' mindset.  I heard over and over again ... "Right now, be" - THAT'S the new black!

"Be."

Be still.  Be present.  Be thankful.

Chenin - my insightful and thoughtful mate from school - spoke of such huge joy she finds in playing with her wee daughter, and during those times shutting everything else out.  Ignoring the to do list, the mess, the urge to rush ... Trying to just relish every second of together time with her husband and girl. Her highest priority is being present in the 'now.'

The conversation came up again with my sister Rach, as she spoke of being so thankful for holidays and not needing to rush around.  She could start the day cuddling my amazingly cuddlable niece, and thoroughly enjoy her company.  Their relationship felt great cos they were being entirely present with each other.

My hilariously cheeky mate from uni days, Lu, spoke of treasuring the ones we love, and not waiting till it's too late.  Concentrating our time and energy on the people who'll be in our lives long term, we get to build the dreams of those about us right now.  And we get the privilege of a richer life now.

Les and Angie - some of the neatest people on this entire planet - chatted about our diet, and how awesome it is to choose a healthy body.  Life's better without sugar-induced energy spikes and lows, and the fuzziness that our brain feels when we're lacking nutritious food and water.  We can have a larger capacity to relish the now, if we feed our body right.

It's true, we get to create so much of our lives ... And from today forward, it's gonna be now o'clock!

In a few minutes I get to mow the lawn.  My choice could be head down and zoom through the chore as fast as possible ... Or ... Relish the scent of the freshly cut grass under my feet, and be grateful for the chance to use my muscles.  I can be thankful for green space, and for vibrant air.  I can focus on how cool it is that the grass clippings can nourish the garden.  I can be grateful for those mechanical minds who design lawn mowers.  I can be thankful that there's even a lawn to mow!

And when it's time to cook dinner I can choose to savour the smells and textures of the veggies I'm preparing.  I can be thankful for the sun and rain that allow us to have real food.  I can choose to be grateful for the the strength to work in the garden, and pick beans, and dig potatoes.  I can be thankful for the knowledge of how to cook food that blesses our bodies.  Cooking dinner becomes a pleasure instead of a chore.  

Maybe mindfulness is not that hard, it's just that we need to remember to do it!  Perhaps I should scrub out the numbers on my clock, and recreate the one below!