I was nearing the end of my morning walk, heading down the path to our apartment, and I reached for my phone to see what time it was. And I stopped.

Here I was on a beautiful morning, the weather at last feeling like spring, buds about to pop, the Exeter River rushing along on my left, and cormorants and seagulls waiting for their breakfast to swim by.

I knew what time it was--it was time to center and look around and be grateful for the day and the beauty around me. To be present in that moment as I walked the rest of the way home aware of the sight, sound and scent of spring.

This is my new practice. Every time I reach for my phone--Ahhh! Center instead and be present. Be here. Where I am. Even if it's just for the few seconds it takes to take a breath and look around.

And Yet....

It is Day 3 of my new practice, and I'm doing pretty well. As soon as I'm aware I'm reaching for my phone, I center and decide if I really need to look at it--Is it ringing? If so, hey, it helps to be centered when I answer, right? If it's a text beeping at me, maybe it can wait.

In any case, I'm centering myself more often. 

And yet... there are also times I still unconsciously grab for it--time? temperature? question? That little guy has all the answers, and right at my fingertips. I'm usually halfway through the gesture before I catch myself. That's why we call it practice. The more I can catch myself, the more I will catch myself.

What unconscious reaction can you shift into a centering practice? My current one is my phone, but I've had others....

• Upset because I'm stopped at a red light? Ah yes! Breathe and center. 
• A slow moving vehicle impeding my travel? How great to notice my need to rush through wherever I am and choose instead to be here now.
• Chopping vegetables, but thinking about something else? Stay with those veggies.

I'm sure you have a few of your own. Maybe you'll discover one later today. 

Let me know!

Good ki!