Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Road Trip


“The journey not the arrival matters.

T. S. Elliot


So we are driving to Florida for Passover. Yikes! 22 hours in the car with three kids and no overnight stop. I’m thinking this is a great “present moment challenge.” On a trip like this the tendency (after about 14 hours) is to start focusing on (yearning for) the destination rather than chilling in the present moment. So the challenge is to stay here and now through car sickness, spilled drinks, potato chip crumbs and backseat bickering.

Speaking of Passover, another great challenge is staying in the present moment while interacting with extended family. There’s nothing like family for bringing up our issues. The more past history we have with someone the more presence we need to practice. This is because we interpret Mom’s behavior through the filter of the past. Its not; “hmmm, that comment is stirring some resistance in me…” Its; “Well, there she goes again…”

So the more we can stay in the moment and leave our past baggage behind the lighter and calmer we are… Good luck!


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