Mindfulness Doesn't Have to Mean Slowing Down

It was a Wednesday morning and I had four places I needed to be at the same time.  I found myself wedged in the middle of a pile of people – medical providers, physiotherapists, and psychologists – bottlenecked in the doorway of our conference room, leaving our weekly team meeting where the most complex patients are discussed.  We had gone overtime again.  I had just received a message that a patient was in crisis and I needed to make a call immediately.  But I was also going to be late, if I didn’t move quickly, to an online training with Brown University Mindfulness Center that I had committed to attend.  And, boy did I need to pee!

I have the fact that the training was on Mindfulness to thank for what happened next.  I noticed the feelings in my body, as I moved quickly.  I was aware of the texture and click of the keyboard as I let my instructor know my situation and that I might be late.  I felt the locations of my tense muscles and consciously softened into them as I completed a call with my patient.  I noticed the temperature of warm water against my hands, as I soaped and washed them after relieving my bladder.  I became aware of the pressure of my office couch against my thighs as I centered my gravity, situating myself in front of my computer and opening the Zoom link for the training meeting. 

This was the first time I had ever realized that effective use of mindfulness doesn’t have to wait for life to slow down.  In fact, it may be the most hectic moments when it is needed most.  I didn’t snap at any colleagues who were blocking my way.  I was able to attune to the conversation with my patient.  I was able to take care of my physical needs, all while honoring my commitments with only a few minutes delay.  Mindfulness not only added to my sense of presence, but I engaged more efficiently with my moment of busyness than I would have without it.