I believe in anything we set out to do focus plays a key role. And I don't think that we give it the attention it really needs.
Today at the gym I went to a Zumba class. For 55 minutes my mind was free of all my worries, my long to do lists, grocery shopping, what's for dinner, fill in the blank, the list goes on.
For that 55 minutes I was focused on the class. I was focused on the teacher, on what my body could and couldn't do. I was focused on how good it felt to dance, to move freely. I enjoyed the music.
And it was on the way home from the gym that I realized what great joy there is when we focus on what we are doing. Before the class I was reading a book on the treadmill. So engrossed in reading I was oblivious to the people around me. Focused and thoroughly enjoying it.
There are plenty of times during our day where we can sit and plan, make lists and prepare for the next event in our lives. And I believe all that is necessary. I do some of my best thinking and mental list making while I'm driving or when I'm laying in bed in the morning.
And there are other times when we are out to dinner, enjoying a movie, watching a performance, outdoors for a walk, listening to a speaker, fill in the blank, the list goes on - those are the times we need to be there completely. 100% be there, focus on what you are involved in and enjoy it. Be there at that moment.
I think that's why meditation works. It causes you to clear your mind and focus. Try it next time you are involved in an activity. Whether the activity was of your choosing or not, choose to focus on what you are doing and see if that makes it that much better for you.
After all life was meant to be joyful.
