JAPAN Part 2: CONVERSATIONS IN THE NOW
In last week’s column, Japan Part 1: LIVING IN THE NOW, I wrote about letting go of the need to know the future. I learned that children live in the now because they have little control or responsibilities and so they can LET GO and just be in the moment of now.
While I was there, I was also amazed by my Japanese friends’ topics of conversation.
When we were having a meal, we would talk about the taste of the food, the beauty of the colors, and the design of the special small dishes. We would talk about the preparation of the food, from garden to plate.
When we were in the field picking radishes or carrots or potatoes, we would talk about the color of the earth, the sun shining on the greens, and how we would prepare them for dinner that evening. While we were cutting, measuring, weighing, bundling, and labeling the asparagus for market, we would talk about the color of the asparagus, how many grew so fast in the night, and how we hoped they would sell.
Walking along the river
While we were walking in the mountains, we would talk about the beauty of the cherry blossoms, the texture of the surrounding flowers, the shape of the mountain tops, and the age of the ancient stairs we were climbing.
While we were travelling in the car with the top down after visiting Yoshino, we talked about the bright sun, the wind in our hair, and the warmth of the breeze.
WE TALKED ABOUT NOW.
How many dinners have we eaten while talking about the stress of the day? Have we even tasted the food?
How many walks in the park have we talked about what we’re going to do next? Have we even noticed the trees?
How many rides in the car do we actually look out the window and notice what’s around us? How many times have we arrived home without remembering the ride at all?
We are mindless, living either in the past or the future. Japanese people have a gift for living in the moment, and I believe it adds to their peaceful quiet natures. I want to have that in my life.
MINDFULNESS. LIVING IN THE NOW.
LIFE GOES ON©
Kathleen Cairns, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in West Hartford, Connecticut. She works with adults, adolescents, and couples. You may call her at 860-236-5555 to make an appointment. She is the author of “The Psychotherapy Workbook.” You may email her at kathleen.cairns@mac.com and she will try to answer as many of your questions as possible.
www.kathleencairns.com
Life goes on… and every day matters…
