Loredana Regep, MD, CPQC is a seasoned medical professional with over 20 years of global leadership experience in the biotech industry, now focused on coaching and consulting. She specializes in leadership, healthcare, mental fitness and spirituality, helping people thrive mentally, physically and spiritually and live fulfilling lives.
Have you ever had one of those moments where the world around you suddenly comes into sharp focus? When you feel like time has stopped, the constant buzz of everyday life faded away, and you're left with a startling clarity about the present moment? I call them Moments of Presence.
A traffic jam epiphany
The other day, I was sitting in the passenger seat of a car, caught in the slow crawl of rush hour traffic in Costa Rica. As I looked around at the sea of vehicles surrounding us, something caught my attention. In nearly every car, the drivers and passengers are deeply engrossed in something other than their immediate surroundings.
Some are talking animatedly on their phones as if their conversation partner were right there with them. Others are completely absorbed by their devices, thumbs flying as they scroll through social media feeds. Many have earbuds in, likely listening to audiobooks, music, or podcasts.
And then it hits me: We're all here, in what appears to be a shared moment of human experience, yet we're all a million miles away mentally not just from each other but from whatever part of life that is unfolding right in front of our eyes.
I remembered being told (and happily embracing the idea) that commute time is wasted time unless we're using it productively to learn a new language, to catch up on work, to listen to the latest self-improvement audiobook. Yes, it can do wonders for enhancing our knowledge or skills.
But what if, in our quest to maximize every moment, we're missing out on something crucial? Possibly life-changing.
The overlooked value of presence
In our fast-paced, overwhelmingly connected, busy world, it's easy to get caught up in an endless cycle of pursuit. We're constantly seeking the next shiny object, the latest trend, or the newest solution to our problems. It could be the most recent bestseller, the latest trending podcast, a new exotic vacation, the fanciest wellness retreat. We find ourselves constantly chasing that next dopamine hit. And in doing so, never once daring to stop and ask: Is this what I truly want for myself?
But what if the key to a more fulfilling life isn't in the pursuit but in the pause?
The power of pause
Consider this scenario: You're rushing through your day, mind racing with to-do lists and deadlines.
Now, imagine hitting the pause button. How? Just stop. Stop!
Take a few deep breaths and look around you. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel?
This simple act of pausing and becoming aware of your surroundings can be transformative. It's a moment of presence that can ground you in the here and now, reconnect you with yourself, providing a much-needed respite from the relentless pace of modern life.
Awakening your senses
As you pause, immediately bring your entire attention to your senses and allow yourself to engage with your surroundings fully.
Feel the temperature of the air around you. Notice the myriad of colors around you. Observe the movement of people or objects next to you. Look at the person in front of you or next to you, really look at them, and notice details you never paid attention to before.
Listen to the symphony of sounds, perhaps the hum of car engines, distant conversations, the rustle of leaves or maybe just the sound of your breathing. When was the last time you noticed your breathing?
In such moments of enhanced awareness, you might notice something extraordinary: Life continues to unfold around you, chaos or not, but you're no longer caught in its frantic rhythm.
You've stepped out of the current, if only for a moment, and into a space of stillness, peace, and clarity.
The paradox of presence
Here's an interesting paradox: When we stop trying to overwhelm ourselves with sensations and experiences, everything becomes more intense and more vivid.
Instead of becoming numb to the world around us, we become more alive to it.
Colors seem brighter, sound clearer, and our own existence more… just more.
Cultivating moments of presence
Incorporating these moments of presence into your daily life doesn't require a major lifestyle overhaul. No 10 steps or 5 fancy named strategies.
In fact, the secret lies in simplicity and in “ease and flow,” so you can find what works best for you.
Let’s take the daily commute, being caught in traffic, as an example. Use that time for mindful observation rather than constant stimulation. Take a few deep breaths and notice your surroundings when stopped at a traffic light. Notice the cars and the people around you.
Eat a meal without distractions, savoring each bite. Drink your coffee or tea, and for 10 seconds, just focus your attention on feeling the taste and temperature of it.
Start or end your day with a few minutes of quiet reflection, meditation or gratitude. It’s that simple!
The ripple effect of peace
As you practice these moments of presence, you may find that their effects extend into other areas of your life. You might become more patient, more creative, more compassionate. You might find it easier to focus when you need to and to relax when it's time to unwind.
In a world that often feels like it's spinning out of control, these moments of presence can be your anchor. They remind us that amidst all the chaos and excitement, there's profound beauty and peace in simply being present.
So the next time you find yourself caught in traffic, or in any moment where you'd usually reach for a distraction and let your mind wander, try something different. Your mind might want to take you on the path you walked a thousand times before, but you may want to consider resisting it and trying a new strategy.
Instead of filling the space with more noise, more information, and more stimulation, try embracing the pause. You might be surprised at what you discover in those quiet moments of presence.
Your next great inspiration and joy might not be in chasing the next big thing but in deciding to pause to experience the moment you're in right now fully. Remember this: your peace of mind is one decision away!
Read more from Loredana Regep
Loredana Regep, MD, Coach, Mentor, and Consultant
Loredana Regep, MD, CPQC is a multifaceted professional with over two decades of global leadership experience in the biotech industry. A certified Positive Intelligence Coach, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and Coach for Innovators, she now focuses on innovative approaches to personal and organizational transformation. Her expertise spans healthcare, digital health innovation, strategic leadership, mental fitness and spirituality.
She now works with leaders, parents and teenagers in a holistic (body, mind and spirit) manner to build resilience, unlock performance, improve relationships and nurture wellbeing. Through her support, clients gain clarity when making important life decisions, reclaim their authentic selves and peace of mind.
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