Live Whole Health #242: Being there

I went to a college football game last weekend, and I was struck by how many fans were recording parts of the game on their phones. When the teams ran onto the field, when the bands played their fight songs, during crucial plays, I was surrounded by people taking videos. This wasn’t surprising, as every social media site is packed with clips of concerts, sporting events, beautiful parks, birthday parties, weddings and so on.

When people were recording the game, they weren’t really watching it. They were looking at the game through a tiny screen, not basking in the entire atmosphere around them. Instead of being fully immersed in the moment—the cheering crowds, the bright lights, the bands, fireworks, all the pomp and circumstance that makes up college football—they were looking at their phones.

We may want to document our experiences and show others what we’re doing, as though social media “likes” are what make the event worthwhile. But what do we lose by watching our children through a screen instead of cheering them on? Does our desire to find the most beautiful shot in the state park take away from our enjoyment of the park as a whole? Can I lose myself in the music when I’m trying to record the band?

Mindfulness has been defined as purposefully paying attention to the present moment without judgement. Trying to capture our experiences means paying attention to something else (the video or picture) with extreme judgement (“Was that a good shot?”). Next time you’re somewhere you might usually take pictures—a game, a park, with your family, a concert—try putting the phone away and try capturing the experience by truly being there.

This kind of mindfulness takes practice. You may want to start with this 22-minute exercise on mindful breathing by Revered Tim Burnett.

Learn more about mindful awareness and how it supports your Whole Health online.