WORKING THE “MIX” (you are in it now)

You may think you are awake all day long… but how often are you truly present?

Coming and going throughout the day—

personal or professional—

we often drift into automatic mode.

Memory takes over.

Habit takes over.

Suggestion takes over.

And suddenly—

we are physically present…

but mentally somewhere else.

You have done this while driving.

Watching television.

Attending events.

Working.

Listening to someone speak.

Then suddenly—

you “snap back” into the moment.

WORTHY NOTE
The mind loves wandering. Awareness brings it home again.

THE “MIX”

Life is a constant mix—

people, emotions, thoughts, duties, distractions, movement, energy, purpose and confusion all interacting at once.

The “mix” never stops.

It only changes forms.

You are in it right now.

And the more aware you become—

the more fascinating life becomes.

OBSERVE YOUR JOURNEY

Stay alert.

Not fearful—

aware.

Notice where your attention goes.

Notice how easily boredom, repetition and routine attempt to hypnotize you into unconscious living.

Life becomes dull—

when awareness disappears.

WHEN WE ENTER A ROOM

A supermarket.

A gas station.

A social gathering.

A workplace.

A restaurant.

Something was already happening there before you arrived.

You entered into an already functioning world—

temporarily becoming part of its flow.

Pause for cause here.

You are not separate from life—

you are participating in it.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE

Depends entirely on your awareness.

General observation sees little.

Focused observation sees everything.

Your attention creates your temporary world.

And suddenly—

ordinary places become fascinating.

READ THE ROOM

What draws your attention matters.

What holds your attention matters more.

If you are there for a purpose—

watch for the signs leading toward it.

The same applies to people.

Facial expressions.

Tone.

Posture.

Energy.

Eye movement.

Silence.

People say far more—

than the words leaving their mouths.

SPEAKING WITH OTHERS

Some people are genuine.

Others are rehearsed.

Some are listening.

Others are waiting to speak.

Some want connection.

Others want escape.

Awareness notices the difference.

WORTHY NOTE
People communicate with their whole presence—not just their mouths.

EYE CONTACT

There was a time when strong eye contact was considered mandatory.

Yet life is more nuanced than that.

A worker concentrating may avoid prolonged eye contact while still being respectful.

Someone overwhelmed may glance away from nervousness.

Others avoid your gaze because they wish to avoid honesty.

Read the moment carefully.

Not mechanically.

SOCIAL DYNAMICS

Movies.

Commercials.

Public events.

Conversations.

All involve the social “mix.”

Some interactions nourish us.

Others drain us.

And when attentions are lacking—

forcing connection becomes manipulation.

ACT ON YOU—NOT THEM

You cannot control another person’s focus.

Or sincerity.

Or effort.

You can only control yourself.

If someone is distracted—

withdraw gracefully.

Maintain dignity.

Maintain awareness.

Mind your own energy first.

WORTHY NOTE
Sharpen your own pencil before correcting someone else’s writing.

PEOPLE EVERYWHERE

Wherever you go—

there they are:

People.

Different personalities.

Different moods.

Different wounds.

Different journeys.

And because of this—

courtesy matters.

Patience matters.

Manners matter.

The “mix” is not going away.

Life is participation.

Observation.

Adjustment.

Learning.

Growth.

And the more conscious you become—

the richer the journey becomes.

You are not outside the mix.

You are in it.

Now.

— Richie
Pearls for the Soul
when you feed the soul, you feed everything.
https://pearlsforthesoul.com