| I swim most mornings at the community pool and | | | | thing. As I go about my daily life, I carry on a |
| then, if there's time, reward myself with a soak in | | | | continual internal conversation that is often |
| the hot tub. It's a great tub with room for four or | | | | agitated and loud. Some familiar remonstrations: |
| five people, the water is really hot, and you can | | | | Do it this way, not like that." |
| turn the bubbles on or off. My favorite soak is | | | | "That was dumb! What were you thinking?" |
| when I'm alone and the water is still. I sit quietly | | | | "Hurry up, you've got to get to that meeting. |
| and enjoy the serenity before my day begins. | | | | You're going to be late." |
| One recent morning my hot tub equanimity was | | | | "Why did you say THAT?!" |
| interrupted when two people got in, turned on the | | | | So I've started a new practice. When I notice |
| bubbles, and began a loud, agitated conversation. | | | | these voices, I stop and find my center -- that |
| I thought, "Why don't they just enjoy the hot tub | | | | quiet, soothing place I go to in the hot tub -- and I |
| - the soothing hot water, the relaxation? They're | | | | try to remember that I carry it with me all the |
| missing this extraordinary moment." The noisy | | | | time. Then I suggest to myself that I sink in and |
| conversation took them (and me) away from the | | | | enjoy it. |
| opportunity to be in the here and now. | | | | Don't wait for the hot tub. Find your center now |
| Thinking about it later, I realized I do the same | | | | and sink in. |