3 Steps To Be More Present

I spent the weekend before the 4th off-grid in Big Sur, California... and I'm embarrassed to say, it was the first time since my South African safari in 2022 that I unplugged - silencing an internal noise I did not know I was enveloped.

I liken the experience to shutting off an air conditioner, where the sudden absence of it's white noise exposes it.

This illuminated the reflexive and immediately convenient access I have to distraction, one which often acts as an impediment to my personal and spiritual growth. Something that exists because I no longer have to sit with myself.

In a way, this is why a meditative practice is beneficial... at least one that doesn't exist within a vacuum.

Jay Shetty shared a story from when he was becoming a monk (it's validity is questionable, but the lesson profound). On a 72-hour train ride across India he would disembark at each stop to continue his meditation practice because that is where he was able to find peaceful conditions. The train itself being far more hectic.

His teacher noticed this strategy and confronted him with a question.

"Is life itself hectic, or is it peaceful?" 
"Hectic." he replied.
"Then that is where you must sit."

This struck a cord with me because I find myself trying to control the events of my life... in an effort to create what I thought was peace. Yet, I've realized it's not peace that I'm in search of, but a belief that I indeed have control over the people, places and things in my life - a place I've resorted to soothe myself.

It's exactly the same thing as an addict turning to drugs or alcohol. The vice is not the problem, in fact, it's actually the solution to the problem as it creates a state in which the addict feels they have control. The problem itself is ones inability to sit in silence devoid of distraction. 

The times in my life I've been able to do this well, (SA Safari & Big Sur) the absence of distraction connected me much deeper to myself, to those I shared those experiences with, and best of all, it provided me immense clarity.

This isn't to say I don't believe there is anything wrong with 'doing,' 'striving,' or 'accomplishing,' but I do believe the problem is we aim to control external conditions instead of focusing on the internal ones actually within our control.

“I can control my destiny, but not my fate.”  – Paulo Coelho

It's one thing to understand this logically, another to become aware of it within myself, and yet another to change.

Now... awareness without change is far worse than no awareness at all, so the question here is two-fold:

1. How can I continually expand my awareness to expose new areas in which this noise exists?
2. What system must I install to consciously remove noise once revealed?

These questions provide a filter through which new ideas can pass, but what does this look like in practice?
How do we find undistracted presence in a world that exists in tandem with devices designed to capture attention?

As is often the answer, it's quite simple... and it lies in utilizing tech as was intended - as a tool, not a distraction.

#1: No Tech Prior To AM Grounding

Ignore the validity, focus on the intentionality.

Often when I hear the word 'grounding' it invokes a nonsensical, ethereal 'yeah, yeah, okay' within me.
While there is science to back the efficacy of grounding, in this scenario, I use it to be less reactionary.

Each morning I must plant my feet in the grass, taking 5 breaths, before I can use my phone.

This could look like rushing outside to breathe, or it can look like having a morning completely offline.
Either way, my intention is to choose to do something for myself before I respond to others.

This is one of 6 daily habits I track in my Personal Productivity Tracker

#2: 2 Technology-Free Days Per Month

This isn't something I've done before, and I get the feeling it may be more challenging... but I've set the goal of spending two days per month off technology completely. No phone, no computer, no notifications, etc.

The challenging part, I believe, will be either taking a day of complete solitude or communicating with friends prior.

Cellphones introduced an ease of communication, but I've found hyper-connectivity decreases my quality.

I aim to make these days navigating sans tech intentionally introspective and filled with room for synchronicities.
This will look like pre-planned reservations, intentional communication, explorative hikes and quiet beach days.

If you have any ideas as to how you'd do or have done no tech days successfully, please email me!

#3: Only Experience-Enhancing Usage

If your technology isn't a compliment to the experience, you're experiencing it, not the experience itself.

Here's a great video from Simon Sinek on the importance of removing technology to build relationships.

Not having my phone out at a meeting, dinner or an event is something I've consciously aimed to do... only checking it when nobody else was around - or excusing myself to go respond to a message. The problem is, once checked, my attention is split between where my feet are and where the message pulled me.

In an attempt to take this one step deeper, I'm choosing to set intentional time to check my phone throughout the day when I am alone, while I'm engaged with others my phone will stay silenced - unless it enhances the experience.

An enhancing experience would be sharing contact information, taking a photo, confirming an address, etc.
*All without opening apps with notifications. It's easier when you remove them from banners and your lock screen.

Where a tool is utilized as just that, the rampant addiction to our devices will cease to control us.

2024 Greece Retreat:

We have two (2) spots remaining for our 2024 retreat to Kefalonia, Greece.
An 8-day, 7-night all-inclusive wellbeing experience to one of the healthiest places on the planet.

To learn more or reserve a spot, tap here.

Inputs Only Podcast:

Christina Muccio is an investor, expert community builder, and crossfit maven.

In this episode, expect to learn why meditating on death is more important than life, how to turn tragedy into triumph, the problem with positivity, and more.

How Meditating On Death Will Change Your Life - Christina Muccio | E15

Tap here to watch on: YouTube | Spotify | Apple

Quote On My Mind:

"You need to believe you are the one.
The ONLY one to build what you're meant to build.

You knew deep down, without words to describe why.
It was you. It was always you. You have always been the one."

- Zack Pogrob

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In Case You Missed It:

In last weeks edition, I wrote about — meditating on change.

It's something that happens seemingly all at one...
... and then in a terrifyingly gradual thereafter.