Creative Guidance – Magic of the Present – Inspirational Educative Articles

Magic of the Present:

Here is a story that illustrates how easy it is to overlook some of the most simple, yet important things in life:

A group of American schoolchildren was asked to list what they thought were the present “Seven Wonders of The World.” Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:

Egypt’s Great Pyramids

Taj Mahal

Grand Canyon

Panama Canal

Empire State Building

The Colosseum

Great Wall of China

While gathering the votes, the teacher noticed that one student had not yet finished her paper. She asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The little girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite decide because there are so many.” The teacher said, “Well, let us see what you have, and maybe we can help.” The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the seven wonders of the world are:

To see

To hear

To touch

To taste

To feel

To laugh

To love.”

We miss a lot of the beauty of everyday moments because we are lost in our thoughts most of the time. Have you noticed the smell of the room you are in? Or, if you are outside, have you noticed the smell outside? Most likely you haven’t. No matter where you are, there is a smell to that place; it could be the smell of flowers, the smell of rain, or even the smell of garbage, but there will always be some smell.

Have you ever noticed how much of your memory is connected to smell? Smell is just one part of the moment, and there is so much more that is happening. The easiest way to miss life is to be lost in thoughts all the time. Mindfulness and meditation are wonderful tools to help you drop your excessive thinking and fall into the experience of life that is happening right here and right now.

“This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Nirvana Foundation and IASBABA.”