Accepting the Moment
3 min
Last Sunday, under the serene canopy of a weeping willow at Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria, I hosted my first journaling workshop, "SELF-TALK Session." The setting was idyllic—a green and white gingham quilted picnic blanket spread on the lush grass, inviting us to pause and reflect. As we settled down, pens in hand, I felt an electric sense of connection to the moment and the group. Despite the intense heat, there was an invigorating energy in being surrounded by nature and art, ready to dive into meaningful self-reflection.
As the sun climbed higher, our conversations deepened. We reflected on our choices and the paths we follow in life and began to create new meanings about those experiences. It was remarkable to see the common threads and revelations that emerged from sharing our stories. One particularly poignant moment came from Baba, who was in attendance and shared his experience.
Baba is hard of hearing, and without his hearing aid that day, he couldn't fully hear everything being said. Instead of feeling frustrated or disconnected, he chose to embrace the situation. Baba sat quietly, observing and absorbing the energy of the group. He watched us—his daughter and her companions—engaging in something he knew little about but found incredibly meaningful. In that moment of full acceptance, he realized something profound: being present and calm, even without complete understanding, allowed him to connect in a different, perhaps deeper, way.
Accepting the present moment is a mindful practice. It's an antidote to the anxiety and sadness we often feel, especially in the face of overwhelming circumstances. Baba brought this insight into sharp focus as he contrasted the moment he was experiencing with us to the 1,300 lives lost recently due to extreme heat during this year's Hajj pilgrimage. Millions of Muslim worshippers travel to Mecca, embodying a profound commitment to faith and endurance. This tragic loss reminds us of life's fragility and challenges. Just as we embraced the heat and discomfort during our session, the resilience and faith of millions during Hajj remind us to accept and find beauty in the present moment.
Our session became a microcosm of this larger truth. By accepting the day's heat, limitations, and unpredictability, we surrendered to the moment and opened ourselves to deeper connections and insights. With all its flaws and discomforts, the present moment became a source of calm and revelation. In these moments of acceptance, we find the strength to navigate life's challenges with a playful attitude rather than a rigid one, connect with others, honor our individual and collective stories, and learn to be curious, in awe, and in love with our lives.
As we concluded the session, I felt a profound sense of gratitude. I was thankful for the group, the space, the opportunity to lead, and the stories shared. The experience reinforced my belief in the power of self-reflection and community. At a time when many of us feel starved for deep connections and vulnerability, moments like these remind me why I'm doing this. The space we created allowed for openness and authenticity, and it was clear that everyone felt seen and heard. Accepting and being calm in the present moment is a continual journey that brings immeasurable rewards.
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