Why is it that we need reminders to be mindful of how temporary life is? We see young fireman dying while trying to save others. We see young adults and children whose lives are cut way too short due to drug overdoses, violence or abuse. Loved ones having strokes, cancer, or accidents, altering lives forever.

I think we need a reminder to be mindful, period.

How often have you finished a cup of coffee or tea without even remembering the act of drinking it? Have you ever driven somewhere, not remembering the ride? How many times have you put something away, and didn’t remember doing so?

As I was typing out some thoughts the other day regarding present moment awareness, the computer randomly began inserting dashes in be-twe-en le-tte-rs, and it would-n’t st-op. As I was about to start spouting four-letter expletives, I realized it was typing a message to me. The dash was significant. I once read a poem about the dash in between our birth date and the date of our death. The poem stressed the importance of the dash, as it represents our time alive on earth.

Are we paying attention as we move so busily here, there and everywhere?  Are our lives dashing away while we’re doing other things?

With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now. –Ralph Waldo Emerson

These days we hear a lot about being in the moment (paying attention to and being mindful of what you are experiencing.). For instance, when playing “Candy Land” with your child, if you notice his/her eyes sparkle when they get to the candy castle first, you’re in the moment. You’re not, if you’re checking new emails on your phone. You’re in the moment if while kissing your lover you notice how his/her hand feels on your face and the softness of their lips. You’re not if you’re thinking about what errands you must run the next day.

When you observe children, you’ll notice that they are purely in the moment, not at all concerned about future or past events. If we could incorporate more of this focused attention in all we do, life wouldn’t whiz by in such a blur.

They used to say that the older you get, the faster time flies. Now-a-days, younger people are also amazed at how fast time is fleeting by. It’s no wonder the year feels like it’s moving on fast-forward when we see back-to-school ads in July, Halloween pumpkins in August, Christmas trees in September, and Valentine’s cards in December. We, as a society, are never in the moment! Also, with instantaneous news from around the world available at our fingertips, it distracts us from the moments in our own world.

Regardless of the above external distractions, our perception of time travel can be altered if you try,

• Paying attention to your senses—touch, smell, sight, sound and taste, noticing all that surrounds you.
• Breathing, noticing how it feels.
• Doing less of what distracts you from engaging in activities that make you feel good.
• Focusing on all things for which you are grateful.

Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them. — Alan Watts.

I was in the play Our Town in high school. There is a scene at the end of the play that has stuck with me to this day. I end with this, as I think it says everything that needs to be said.

Emily, the main character has died. She asks to go back to earth for one last visit, and she chooses her 12^th birthday. She is warned by those who have gone before her that she shouldn’t do it, that it will be painful, but she insists. Here she expresses her frustration as she watches her mother busily making breakfast:

 “Oh, Mama, just look at me one minute as though you really saw me…I can’t! I can’t go on! It goes so fast. We don’t have time to look at one another! I didn’t realize. So all that was going on and we never noticed! Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it—every, every minute?”

Pay attention. Really look at those you love. Fill your dash with as many moments as possible.