Robyn Pearce: Seize the moment

As we slow down, as we notice things in a different way, we break the fast-paced rhythm of our environment. Photo / Thinkstock

Think about the last time you headed out of your home or office to go somewhere. Maybe it was today. What were you thinking about? What did you notice on the way? What was your state of mind as you traveled?

If you're typical of most people, the dominant thoughts went something like: 'Will I get there on time?'; 'I mustn't forget to do .... when I get home'; or 'I must remember to tell ... about ....'

For so many of us, as we drive past parks, beaches, and beautiful settings; as we zip by lovers, children and people having fun - our environment is a blur. We travel blindly - at the speed of thought - in our brain. We screen out much of the external world from our conscious awareness.

And then we wonder why one of our biggest challenges in today's fast-paced and often frenetic life is 'there's never enough hours in the day'.

Here's a fresh slant - if we take the time to be present in the moment, we expand time - we have more of it.

Think of a small child and how absorbed they are as they play, observe, explore the world around them. Remember back as a kid - didn't those holidays take forever to come!

I had a lovely reminder a few weeks ago. I'd been on the go all day. All interesting work, all useful. Suddenly I looked at my watch. Wow - it was nearly 8pm. (The challenge and the joy of doing what you love is that time can just vanish - even for a time management specialist!). Off went the computer.

As I walked into my lounge I glanced up to see the westerly sun peeking below the heavy day-long cloud. The tide was coming across the mudflats, a few Pied Oystercatchers with their distinctive orange beaks and legs were having a last bed-time snack, a White-Faced Heron pranced delicately across the wet sand and a late-returning fishing boat sped up the river.

Instead of heading for the kitchen for food I found myself out on the deck with a drink in hand. Dinner could wait, I decided. I sat there quietly, slowing my brain down as I gazed out over the peaceful seascape.

As the sun dropped lower, finally coming out fully from behind the cloud bank, the underbelly of the heavy black clouds turned to candyfloss pink, then orange, then gold. Moment by moment the colours shifted like a live thing. Thin fingers of vivid light stretched further and further until the whole sky was alive with colour, plaiting a magic pattern through the massed clouds.

What do I remember from that day? Satisfying as it was, the specific work I did has blurred into all the other days. The cloudscape, however, will stay with me to the grave. Those 15 minutes seemed like an hour - time stood still.

What can you do - today - to stretch time? Look for something every day. It might be a few moments totally absorbing the beauty of a flower, a little child, a lovely painting, a glorious garden. Practice going beyond the superficial noticing that most of us do, most of the time. The more you see, the greater the quality, the richness and the blessings of the day.

As we slow down, as we notice things in a different way, we break the fast-paced rhythm of our environment. Our blood pressure drops, the stress factors reduce (even if only briefly), and we find ourselves better equipped to handle the rest of the daily round.

Seize the moment - and live.

Robyn Pearce (known as the Time Queen) is the MD of GettingAGrip.com, an international time management and productivity training company based in New Zealand. Get your free report 'How To Master Time In Only 90 Seconds' and ongoing time tips at www.gettingagrip.com