I found that it was difficult for me to actually do nothing for 20 minutes. I had to plan out a time for this assignment to get done. When I sat down to “do” my 20 minutes of nothing, I started thinking about all of the other things that I needed to get done. I began to feel very overwhelmed. I realized that I often spend time thinking about what I need to do next or what needs to get done, and as a result I am rarely in the moment of “now”. I started looking at the framed pictures around me and noticed that the pictures captured me in that moment, but was I really mindfully present in that moment at that time? It saddened me to think that I probably wasn’t wholeheartedly. Fun times with friends and family would be much more enjoyable if I would seize that moment alone, and actually be present where I am. Life can be a busy thing when you are working full time and going to school; however, the blessings of everyday shouldn’t be surpassed because of the stress of a full agenda. The last 10 minutes of my 20 minutes of nothing was when I actually was starting to relax. I began to hear my body telling me that I was hungry and also that I had a toothache. My 20 minutes of nothing was coming to an end and I wanted to remain in “nothing mode”. Pausing for 20 minutes helped reiterate the importance of “seizing the day”. This new challenge is one I am excited to take on!
