TURNING OFF AUTOPILOT

So much of our everyday lives are lived in a sort of autopilot mode. We go through vast portions of time where we are basically set on cruise control:  Get up. Bash the alarm clock. Brew coffee. Brush teeth. Get to work by 9 a.m. We end up losing out on the moment, because we are not even there for it. We aren't conscious for what is going on, because we are too busy going through the motions.

Part of what forces us into this autopilot, cruise control mode is the fact that at every moment we are thinking of the things we should be doing, the things to we need to be doing. I need to get those TPS reports done, or I'll lose my job (Office Space reference). I should exercise more. Of course, those needs and shoulds help to motivate us to get things done. There is nothing inherently wrong with that.
But when we get overwhelmed by the myriad tasks we have to complete, it takes us out of the moment. It makes us less conscious, less present. And, the major crux, when we are less conscious and less present, well, we end up being less happy, contented, and fulfilled. It is a vicious cycle that one can see play out everyday in the a person's work life, and to a lesser extent the home life, as well. This unconscious way of living only leads to mental and emotional burnout.

Years ago, I read Jon Kabat-Zinn's classic Wherever You Go, There You Are, and one of the things that stuck with me about that book is Zinn's idea that people in modern society have moved away from being human beings and are now human doings instead. I believe that idea is absolutely right. We end up going through the motions of our everyday lives. But why? Partly, it is because life is busy and distracting on one hand. And, on the other, well, it's just tougher to be present in every moment. That takes focus, attention, observation, and understanding our momentarily feelings and emotions.

Now not everyone wants to be in touch with the moment, nor do they feel inclined to explore their feelings, or emotions, but it can be a good exercise.

Waking up to the moment allows us to see the joys and simple pleasures of everyday life -- something that is absolutely lost when we are on autopilot simply going from task to task like an automaton. By waking up to those simple pleasures we can learn to be happier in our surroundings, even if at times they are chaotic.

I know for me, I take a lot of pleasure in the times I can sit down with a cup of hot coffee, and savor it (usually a weekend event). But, even when I am rushing out the door during the week with that cup of coffee (thermos really), I now try to savor that also, even if it is on the road to work, and not sitting down in the lazy chair.

Just like a pilot going through some choppy airspace, we have to learn to turn off autopilot. It does not serve one well. It only sends one down a pathway of being out of tune, and out of touch with the moment. We want to be present for those moments, no matter how small, because you don't want to look back and feel you missed out on all those times because you simply weren't there. BE THERE. Don't just spend your time doing your life away.