I’ve been running different businesses for about 12 years, ranging from multinationals to early-stage start-ups - and from turnarounds to growth stories.
Interesting and exciting stuff for sure - but friggin stressful at times, particularly when you’re trying to balance out your personal and professional lives.
Because of conflicting demands and lots of ‘gear-switching’, it took me a really long time, and it’s definitely still a daily work-in-progress, to try to be fully present in whatever I am engaged in.
WHY WAS/IS IT SO HARD TO BE PRESENT ?
In my case, it was simply because my mind and thoughts were dominating my daily existence - and isn’t that really the case for most of us or am I alone on this one ?
How many of us spend a huge amount of time worrying about what we’re going to do tomorrow, what our partner just said or that ‘roll-of-the-eyes’ he or she just made, what happened yesterday at work and what the consequences will be, how our kids are doing, and of course money, money, money ?
For those very reasons I started practicing yoga about ten years ago and the benefits were almost instantaneous: by focusing on my breathing, movements, and alignment I found that I would get ‘Lost in Doing’ and ultimately become more present and at peace - and walk out feeling like a new man with a fresh perspective and so appreciative of everything in my life - even the little things.
We hear so much about Presence, breathing, and relaxing these days - more and more gurus on the subject are appearing and trying to spread the word. I’d definitely encourage you to read Eckhart Tolle’s ‘The Power of Now’ if you haven’t already - it may have sold millions of copies - and there’s a good reason: it’s a pretty incredible and clear guide on how to be more present.
From my perspective Stand Up Paddling is a another fantastic vehicle to achieve PRESENCE.
WHY?
Well here are a couple of possible reasons:
1) It’s a very accessible sport which pretty well anyone can pick up - from an 8 year old to a 90 year old
2) Since you have to simultaneously pay attention to your balance, the water, and your surroundings, you have little choice but to be PRESENT
3) An adult is made of about 60% water and a baby is made of 75% water - it has yet to be proven but who knows - maybe the mere fact of gliding along a substance that most of your body is made of induces a state of balance and peace
4) Being so close to nature, with the occasional seal popping its head up, or dolphin hopping out of the water is such an exhilarating experience that you get totally absorbed and trip out in the BOM (Bliss of the Moment) !
….AND JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU COMBINE YOGA and PADDLING - THE ULTIMATE ‘PRESENCE COMBO EXPERIENCE’ which I’d urge you to try.
Well I’m a little biased to say the least, because I love both paddling and yoga (and paddle yoga!), so my advice to all of you Bliss seekers is:
Get out of your mind, Get Present, and PADDLE AWAY FROM YOUR HECTIC DAY !
And Give me your thoughts about Paddling, Yoga, and Presence - Does it work for you ? What helps you become more present ?
Looking forward to hearing from you,
The Bliss Man