Maria Gonzalez Blog
Mindful Leadership

Live Each Moment “as if for the first time”

In the last Blog I talked about living each moment “as if for the last time”.  In this Blog, I would like to suggest living each moment “as if for the first time”.  Now these two notions are by no means in conflict. They are two sides of the same coin and come together in the “present moment”.

When you experience each moment as if for the first time, you assume nothing and you are open to everything.  In essence you are open to any and every possibility.  Everything and everyone looks fresh and new.  You don’t anticipate that someone with whom you have challenges will challenge you.  You are just present to what is.  You don’t expect that this rose will smell like every other rose.  You are just present to what is.  You don’t expect this walk or drive will be like every other walk or drive.  You are just present to what is.

And when you are present to what is, you are, in fact, living each moment as if for the first time.  In meditation we call it “beginner’s mind”.  Which means that no matter how many years you have been meditating, you approach every meditation with a fresh view, as if you had never meditated before.  And that fresh view, that presence, will bring you more joy and peace than you can imagine.  This happens because you experience life with wonder.  It will open up possibilities and solutions to issues that were previously real stumbling blocks.  All that, because you will see things with fresh eyes.

And then you might behave more like your dog who is so excited to see you each time he sees you, whether you have been gone 5 days, 5 hours or 5 minutes.  To him, the joy of seeing you is “as if for the first time, every time”.  This is an expression of true wonder and awe.  Albert Einstein made this point beautifully when he said,” The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.  It is the source of all true art and science.  He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause and wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead, his eyes are closed.”

So next time you enter into a conversation, be fully present and truly listen…assume nothing.  Next time you walk down a familiar street, or any street, just walk, look and listen as if you have never been there before. Allow yourself to be amazed by being present.  And in that presence you will see things you have never noticed before…as if your eyes had suddenly been opened, just because you have allowed yourself to be there “as if for the first time”.