I come back to this topic every now and then, but I do it because it’s so real and so urgent…The importance of being present and aware can never be understated. Sometimes, while we talk to our friends or when we’re at the movies, we will find our minds wandering off to other things that worry us or matter to us: “I wonder if so-and-so will finally have that print job ready after all this time”; or “oh, I must not forget that tomorrow I have to make ‘X’ payment”; or perhaps (if we’re having a conversation) we are just thinking about what to answer to the person instead of actually paying attention to what they’re telling us.

It’s so sad to see, as we walk down the street, that so many people are immersed in a state that resembles slumber or hibernation. Their main worry is how to get from point A to point B in time; and they forget to look around and interact with the environment or with other people. Interaction is a way to learn and, therefore, awaken to the true dimensions of our reality.

Another way to awaken is to be observant: opening our eyes and paying attention to what’s in front of us is not only a spiritual experience – it’s also a basic survival skill. Wherever we are, if we pay attention to our surroundings and observe all the peculiarities of things, we’re not only bound to be safer, but also wiser.

Think about the many misunderstandings, mix-ups, accidents, arguments and anger episodes that could be avoided if we lived our lives truly awake. More importantly: think about all the fantastic people you could meet; all the wonderful moments you could experience; and all the unknown sights you’d get to discover, if you were truly awake for every second of your waking life…

Are you awake? Or are you sleeping? Would love to hear from you at docbeverly@aol.com!