EVEN as I see most of us jumping from one activity to another, I wonder what ever happened to the moments in between. When I teach students how to write a play, I remind them that it is not just dialogue that makes a play, but the reaction from the other person for the line said, which could either be verbal or non-verbal, and for that the playwright has to understand that in real life, those moments between are important times for reflection and preparation.
Reflection on the line just spoken, and preparation for the line that is about to be said by the other party. And both these responses, which can be times of silence and stillness, must be part of the play. The same in anything we do.
When we move from one activity to another, we do not have time to reflect, which is to allow what we’ve just been through to sink in. Psychologists will tell you that when we don’t have time to process something, then the mind reacts to that input in absurd ways. Similarly, when we do not process one activity before going into another, our imbibing or taking in becomes less.
Do you like ice cream? Do you like reading a good book? Well, do you normally have your ice cream while reading a book? Try doing both separately. You will get double the pleasure, enjoying the book fully and relishing the ice cream!
Prepare yourself before going for a lecture, a spiritual discourse or any activity. Practise slowing down before the activity, remove all other thoughts, entertain stillness, allow peace to enter your head, even feelings of joy as you anticipate the new activity, allow your body to become a receiver of inputs instead of a sender of signals, and enjoy the event, What about after the event?
Try to spend time recollecting all you’ve heard or done, while evaluating the whole talk. Feast on it, like a cow chewing cud. Then start linking the talk to yourself, asking how you can apply it to your daily life or business venture. Engage with the points that were mentioned. Carry yourself or project yourself to what you can achieve through the activity and finally thank God for reawakening a talent or gift someone has reignited in you.
Those moments between are needed. We are not machines or robots, but thinkers, and thinkers need processing time. Even worse than those who jump from one activity to another are those who multitask. I have many who join my speakers and writer’s course and try to learn while scrolling through their phone.
They learn nothing! Do remember, to prepare yourself before, and reflect later, and remember that these moments between are as important as the time spent on the activity or event..!
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