Paying attention to the smallest of moments.

Since I was in high school, I have loved words and poetry. Thank you to the wonderful Language Arts teachers I was fortunate to have! There is something potent for me about language and imagery and how they come together to create an experience in the moment that can generate reflection and feeling. One of my favorite poems for many years is “You Reading This, Be Ready” by William Stafford. It captures the importance of paying attention to the smallest of moments and the power that we have to define the meaning of those moments for ourselves. It reminds me that we can always return our attention to now and make a choice as to how we would like to respond. It ties beautifully to the practice of mindfulness, the practice of awareness of the present moment non-judgmentally and with a “beginner’s mind.” For me, it will always be a keeper.

You Reading This, Be Ready

By William Stafford

Starting here, what do you want to remember?
How sunlight creeps along a shining floor?
What scent of old wood hovers, what softened
sound from outside fills the air?

Will you ever bring a better gift for the world
than the breathing respect that you carry
wherever you go right now? Are you waiting
for time to show you some better thoughts?

When you turn around, starting here, lift this
new glimpse that you found; carry into evening
all that you want from this day. This interval you spent
reading or hearing this, keep it for life –

What can anyone give you greater than now,
starting here, right in this room, when you turn around?