For today’s Mindful Monday post, I would like to share a story with you.
This past weekend, I was trying to get a quick workout in on our treadmill. I was nearly done, just as my eight year old daughter popped into the room. “Mama! Mama! Can you please stop the treadmill? I need to tell you something important!”
I looked at the screen and saw I only had about five minutes left. I wanted to finish my workout and move on with my day. But I paused the treadmill, and the belt slowly came to a stop.
“Yes darling, what do you need?,” I asked her, with a touch of impatience.
“Oh. I just wanted to tell you that I am going to go to the bathroom. And then I am going to put on my shoes and go for a walk with grandpa. I will tell you when we are about to leave.”
And she bounced out the door, happy and satisfied.
I restarted the treadmill and finished my run. I was perplexed. It didn’t seem like her announcement about the bathroom and her sneakers was particularly significant. Yet to her, it felt important to share.
I realized that it wasn’t so much about the content of what she wanted to say. It was about her particular need for attention and connection in that moment. And it was about her desire to share the details of her life with me, and her hope that I would receive them with interest.
I wonder if, at some point in the future, she will want nothing more than to keep those details private, and to escape my attention.
I couldn’t help but notice the bigger picture metaphor of what she was asking me to do. Get off of the treadmill and notice. Pay attention to this moment, to her being. The treadmill of busyness, an over filled life, and a frantic pace. Stop the treadmill. She needs to tell me something important.
So for today, is there a way for you to stop (or maybe even just slow down) the treadmill, and notice something that you otherwise wouldn’t? I would love for you to share with me what you see.
Wishing you a peaceful Monday and week ahead.
With gratitude, Monisha