Early in my “first-life” career, I remember an employee telling of being taught by a priest at Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown Ohio to take a time out and just “Be”. The conversation edged on mockery and, as I was at that time parent to a teenager, the idea of any high school kid grasping the concept of “Being” was difficult to wrap my head around. In hindsight, I myself as a “seasoned” adult was similarly unable to scratch that most elusive of surfaces.
This past weekend was spent at a seminar in Newark NJ – in a hotel that reminded me of many hotels at airports that I had given presentations at in the past. Because of the “baggage” from my previous life, I was determined to maintain constant awareness of how I was “showing-up” over the weekend – to be in the moment as much as possible – and not live in the past. I have noticed that self-observation is something of a light bulb. Once you flip the switch, the room is illuminated and you begin to see that which was always there, just waiting for you to pay attention.
Somehow, unbeknownst to me, the subtle adjustment to “Being” enabled a significant shift in my ability to manifest. Perhaps living in the moment, without expectation but with intent is the key. Consider the Law of Attraction which states that an intention, once set, forms the outcome. Davidji of the Chopra center teaches us to ask the questions – live the answers. Similarly, setting the intention allows the universe to deliver the desired results. My intention for the weekend was to grow – and grow I did. As is often the case, the result was not what I expected or “wanted” but more a divine interpretation of what I actually “needed.”
In my previous life, I flew over one million hectic, rushed, miserable miles; so the plan this time around was to simply enjoy the experience. This weekend, I flew out and back from Pittsburgh to Newark in what is best described as a crop duster, skillfully handled by Snoopy, my dog faced pilot complete with scarf, no doubt looking for the red baron. Needless to say, the experience was very interesting and extremely noisy. The last time I flew into Newark was on a 747 from Japan in First class. This trip was the polar opposite. And yet, the difference did not disturb me, in fact it was entertaining. Occurrences that might once have been negative and frustrating simply no longer mattered.
I have found that I am now comfortable with myself. I expect my needs to be met and therefore they are. No, the seats did not increase in size, nor did everything go perfectly. However, I found a parking space close to the airport, the flight was on time, I got up to Newark easily, and as I walked out to the shuttle to go to the hotel, it stopped and waited for me. Anyone who has traveled to Newark should know that this, in and of itself, was a small miracle. As if once was not enough, when I was leaving on Monday, the shuttle which had just left, again stopped and waited for me to board.
Inevitably, the flight was delayed but as I sat in the terminal watching busy travelers, like ghosts of Geiger’s past, pace back and forth, I relaxed and enjoyed the time with myself. I was the last one on the plane – in the old days, I had to get in first in case something went wrong. I sat next to a man at least 50 pounds over weight and rather than feeling aggravation, I simply wished him well and harbored no resentment toward him – and somehow he seemed to shrink. Going through security, I had the pleasure of a quick x-ray, an experience which in the past would have sent me plummeting down the path of fear and uncertainty.
All the while I watched myself having these experiences, not looking to next week or dwelling on the past but spending each moment truly “in the moment.” The few times I was triggered to past experiences, I was able to see immediately the effect on my attitude, able to witness how awful I felt, not retreat to the past, but accept it, and continue on. Even when that awful feeling resurfaced, I did not resist. I chose to accept that something was causing me to feel this way, until I understood enough to release it.
So – you may be asking – what exactly is my point? My point is this – If I can spend five days flying in a crop duster, sleeping in a hotel that bothered my back, and siting all day in chairs that made my whole body ache while remaining consciously in the moment, observing myself living and “being” – and incidentally becoming utterly enchanted by it – well then anyone can. If, of course, they decide with intent and purpose to do so. The highs and lows were neither high nor low, they were simply different experiences that I was able to enjoy and then carry on.
The key to living Life 3.0 is awareness and being. To achieve the vision of my Core Purpose in life, I needed to be able to live in the moment and just be. Perhaps this is the same lesson the old priest had already learned and was trying to impart to the wayward teenagers in his charge. Hopefully someday, we can evolve to a mindset where youth can grasp this subtle art. Until then, I hope the priest – and others – keep trying. I know I will. The next time you feel out of control because things did not go your way – take a few minutes to just settle down and observe – first others and then yourself. Enjoy the experience – it is the only one available to you at any given time.