Practicing Presence

Yesterday I was on my way to Duncan, excited to meet friends for dinner and to attend an event that Dan was MCing.

This trip usually takes about an 1:10hr.

I hit the top of the Malahat to learn there was a road obstruction (Thank goodness no one was seriously hurt). Cars lined up bumper to bumper from Malahat Summit on, detouring through Shawnigan (context for those in the hood)

Many times in our daily life we can’t control what happens. This was one of those situations. There was nothing I could do but sit in the line up of cars. What I could control was how I reacted. I had a choice:

Get frustrated and mad

Or

Settling in and enjoy some tunes and the amazing landscape

So I chose to be in the moment to what is.

I plugged in my playlist “blues and such” and sang at the top of my lungs for the 3 HOURS it took to get there.

Yea, I missed meeting friends for dinner

Yes, I was late for the event

I stayed true to what was present in the moment and had my own little blues Concert - with me as the headliner.

This is practicing mindfulness in the moment. Accepting what is.

Now translate this into your own personal leadership. Isn’t staying present and working with what is much better than reacting and getting all stressed and anxious about something you can’t control. Those around you will benefit too!

I had so much fun. My throat was sore from singing at the top of my lungs the whole way. Who knew I (kinda) knew the words to soooo many songs.