Thursday, October 24, 2024
I’m just not sure if we’re aware of how rich the present moment is. The present moment is offering us everything. It doesn’t offer us everything at once. It offers micro-opportunities. There are millions of chances today to do something new. New thoughts, new actions, and new games. I’ve trained myself to associate certain daily activities with some new behaviors, and I’m always looking for other ways to entertain myself.
I’ve trained myself to look forward to red lights. The ones we have here in my city last as long as 3 minutes! During those waiting times, I’ve trained myself to think of a “wild dream.” So far, I’ve come up with meeting Elton John in London, meeting Yeison Jimenez (an obscure Colombian popular music singer) in an airport, giving a TED talk, flying first class all the time, having someone bring me an onion ( I know – that was a wild one), and many others. If I can’t think of a new one, I rethink old ones. It makes me feel good.
Each morning, I go on a walk. I’ve trained myself to see how many strangers I can get to smile back at me. Many don’t even make eye contact. But I usually can get two or three. My record is 4. When I go to the store, I always make it a point to park as far away from the front door as possible. That’s an easy one. It helps you get more steps in. I don’t have a fancy name for that one.
I’ve trained myself to smile at myself when I see myself in the mirror or any reflective surface. It’s kind of like the walking game, except with myself.
There are so many micro-opportunities to play in your day. Walking, waiting, looking – what could you train yourself to do to make those moments productive and fun?