If we were having coffee or maybe a cocktail or three, I’d tell you that this week I’ve felt in limbo. Going through the motions of my daily activities. There in body but not in mind. Treading water as I wait for the impending, dreaded endoscopy and colonoscopy on Wednesday. It’s only a routine check as I suffer with Barrett’s, but my anxiety levels are in overdrive.
I am trying, as they say, to ‘live in the moment’. Focus my attention on what’s happening right now instead of jumping ahead to future “what-ifs and replaying old worries.” Trying to shut down thoughts as my mind wanders off doing cartwheels and Ninja backflips. But it’s easier said than done, and I’m no Buddha.
What about you – have you mastered the art of living in the moment?
and as for living in the moment … our swimming pool pump died after a recent power surge. After waiting three weeks for it to be fixed (fingers crossed), we went to collect it on Friday afternoon. I say WE, but in truth, Mr Piglet persuaded me to go with him with the promise of a cocktail at Avanti’s at Lagos Marina. It was a kind offer as I’d spent five hours that morning making sausage rolls for Christmas and my knees were exhausted. I was going to take a photo of my chaos, but as I’d already daubed everything in pastry gunge and flour, so I gave that idea a swerve.
Anyways, as I sipped on my second Martini Pornstar in the empty bar at Avanti’s waiting for Mr Piglet to return, I looked out across the Marina.
And as I watched the rain clouds roll in on this bleak Friday evening, I hugged my wrap to me for warmth, embraced the moment, and finally felt at peace.
Maybe there is a time and place, and you can’t just turn on ‘living in the moment’ like you turn on a light and the moment finds you? Ponderous
Can I tempt you with another cocktail, mocktail or maybe a herbal tea?
My thanks to Natalie, who hosts the Weekend Coffee Share.
Piglet in Portugal 
I’m glad you relaxed with that delicious looking cocktail. I hope your procedure goes smoothly. I worried about the prep way more than I should have, actually doing it wasn’t the end of the world. Classic panic. However, I hope you have a nice restful day planned for afterwards. Something delicious to enjoy and relax the day away!
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Hi Tracy, yep I am stressing about the prep more than I should and getting the timings right as we have a longist drive to the hospital.
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Living in the moment isn’t an easy thing for sure, Carole. To my way of thinking, it comes and goes. One little exercise that someone shared with me a very long time ago, was to look for particular things on my walks. Eg: one day, look for a particular colour … like yellow things, on another day, look for a particular shape like triangle things … and on it goes. This focus forces me to be in the moment. I also find that it’s much easier to be in the moment when I’m with someone else. It’s when I’m alone that my mind gets too busy.
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Hi Terry, you’ve just made me realise I no longer walk. Yes, I exercise but not walking. I used to look out for wild flowers..so yes it does help to focus on the moment. Maybe I should do the same in my garden.
I tend to drift in and out of the moment when I am in company. IT depends on the conversation. When I am in the art group working on a project I am totally absorbed in the moment.
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It’s the prep that makes it so difficult. Or that’s my first impression (having only had one). The actual scope was easier than that prep scenario.
I think at times living in the moment is easier than other times. Fingers crossed for good results.
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IT is the prep that is the pain in the butt, Bernie. The scope itself I am knocked out so I know nothing.
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I will pray for you Carole. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.
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Thank you, Lana. I appreciate your prayers to help allieve my anxiety.
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As someone who has health anxiety, I can empathise – I hope – with how you are feeling. I think it’s worse in the wee, small hours of the morning. I also try to live in the moment as much as I can, but I certainly haven’t mastered it. Hope all goes well on Wednesday.
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Hi June, you are right. It is worse in the wee hours of the morning and the mind is in overdrive. Learning to live in the moments is still very much work in progress.
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That is a great view of the marina. Good luck for Wednesday, Carole. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
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Thanks, Natalie. I will be glad when it is over.
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My goal is always to live in the moment, but some days make it difficult to reach that goal. It somewhat helps me to go for nature walks daily.
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Hi Maria, yes, connecting with nature does help. A few moments on apuse to stop and listen to the birds or the sound of the sea can help refocus thoughts
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Good luck for Wednesday. Horrible to have stuff hanging over you like that. Kills the Christmas spirit stone dead, but cocktails are probably a good way to revive it, Carole. It looks like a great place to sit xx
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Yep, it’s like a black cloud on a sunny day. Still I spent this afternoon trying to put up the Christmas tree … nothing like getting 200 lights in a tangle to embrace the true test of Christmas patience LoL
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I leave the lights to Michael. Not my forte. Nor is patience xx
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Sorry to hear about your worries at the moment. I hope everything turns out well. I’m not very good at waiting for things to happen – either good or bad – as I’m very impatient. That view over the marina looks stunning and very calming.
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Thanks, Jennifer. IT is the waiting and with the endoscopy comes 3 days prpe so that’s is not helping 😦
Yes, i love the marina. I think I had a boat or even a yacht LoL … one can dream
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