Everywhere we go there's someone trying to convince us of what's important. Politicians, corporations, friends, family, employers, media -- you name it and they're vying for our time and attention. In the midst of my struggle to find balance and bliss, I'm working to clear the clutter from my life. That is, to push away the garbage, the white noise, the non-essentials and understand for myself what is important.
For starters, I've realized I'm tired of being sold to. We are constantly made to believe that we "need" material objects to make us happy. The problem with this idea is two-fold. First, it distracts us from that which is truly important -- people, connections, laughter, experiences. Second, the desire for material objects can never be satisfied. After we buy our new fancy car, new computer or special article of clothing, we can be sure the next year's model will reignite our desire for the latest and greatest. When this happens we're left right back where we were before the new car. This is of course what corporations want and what drives a consumerist culture. While material objects may give us momentary pleasure, this is not the same as happiness and it is happiness - not momentary pleasure - that I'm in search of.
To this end, several weeks ago I decided that I will buy nothing for myself for the rest of 2011. Perishables like food and toiletries, and experiences like plane or concert tickets are okay, but new clothes, books, kitchen utensils and the like are totally off-limits. I just don't need these things and I certainly do not need them distracting me from what's really important in my already overly chaotic life.
Improving mindfulness is another meaningful way that I'm changing how I live. For me, being mindful means being present. Both for the banal and the exciting, it means living in the moment and learning from what the moment has to offer. When the mind wanders to past or future we miss out on experiences. I've come to believe that a general lack of mindfulness comes from the emphasis in our culture on planning for the future, multitasking and increasing productivity. I'm no exception. I was always implicitly taught to be thinking two steps ahead, to plan, and to get as much accomplished in as little time as possible. The problem with living this way is that we miss out on the sensations and nuances of the present. The future will get here; we need only wait for it to arrive.
So then, what's important to me? For starters, people. My wife, my family, my friends and the experiences that I have with them all; traveling, trying new things and experiencing new sensations; learning and exercising my mind and my body; feeling at peace. Of course, when I'm not mentally present for these experiences I'm missing out on true happiness. So, be mindful and do what you love.
Admittedly, finding and experiencing what's important isn't always easy. This is especially true when we're programmed from the beginning to do differently, but I'm finding that simplifying and living in the present are two absolute keys to building my bliss.
