In today's world of constant noise,
Motion and distraction,
The simple act of being present often feels out of reach.
My mind frequently wanders.
It won't remain anchored in the now.
There is a restless tendency to escape it.
As you listen to my poem,
Ask yourself the question,
Why can't I stay focused?
In the moment.
In this moment I let my attention begin to focus my mind without and within.
To keep my thoughts from going astray.
This place.
This time.
This part of the day.
Each morning I try to achieve this aim with a Shabbat shiit routine that's always the same.
But no matter what I try to do,
My attention has wandered before I'm through and I find myself far away in stories from another day.
In memories gone from the past or plans whose nets I've yet to cast.
Thoughts of the future.
Thoughts from the past.
Thoughts that don't linger.
Thoughts that can last.
I stand relaxed,
Centred and still.
My eyes on the water beyond the hill.
The morning birds sing in the trees.
Leaves flutter gently in the breeze.
A beautiful rhythm comes and flows as I move my body,
Hands and toes.
But no matter what I try to do,
My attention has wandered before I'm through and I find myself far away in stories from another day.
In memories gone from the past or plans whose nets I've yet to cast.
Thoughts of the future.
Thoughts from the past.
Thoughts that don't linger.
Thoughts that can last.
I'm aware of everything around.
The garden colours,
The movement,
The sound,
The carpets soft beneath my feet,
The winter coolness and summer heat,
The sun that's rising in the east,
The pink-tinged clouds,
An artist's feast.
But no matter what I try to do,
My attention has wandered before I'm through and I find myself far away in stories from another day.
In memories gone from the past or plans whose nets I've yet to cast.
Thoughts of the future.
Thoughts from the past.
Thoughts that don't linger.
Thoughts that can last.
I ask myself,
Why is it so?
My attention wanders to and fro.
Are there fears hidden deep?
Or promises I've failed to keep?
Will there ever be a day?
I'm in the moment,
All the way.
When?
No matter what I try to do,
My attention won't wander before I'm through.
I won't find myself far away in stories from another day.
In memories gone from the past or plans whose nets I've yet to cast.
Thoughts of the future.
Thoughts from the past.
Thoughts that don't linger.
Thoughts that can last.
They say practice makes perfect.
Namaste.
