It is the lack of awareness and focus that robs of us so much in life. Something as simple as the art of listening to another person is a prime example. All too often when we are in a conversation, our minds are elsewhere and we miss out on most of what is being said and felt. In my training as a Life Coach, listening is a skill that is highly emphasized. We are taught about numerous levels to listening. The first is where we listen but don’t really hear. Our minds are elsewhere or thinking of our next response. In the next level, we focus out attention directly on the person without distraction. It is the third level that can reveal the most to us about the other person because not only are we focusing on what they say but we also are deeply aware of their presence, which allows us to tune into their total geography. This is where real communication takes place.

The same can be said about our own bodies. How many of us don’t recognize the signals our bodies attempt to send us because we are just not tuned into ourselves? Suddenly it seems we have a full blown cold when all along our bodies were trying to tell us that one was coming on. Lack of attention to a strained muscle erupts into a full blown crisis.

The world, our lives and the people in them will open up and explode with revelations if we only pay them more attention. Take the time and make the effort to be more aware. Here are a few ideas:

- Slow down. When you become frantic, you lose your ability to focus. Simply noticing that you are in a heightened state of activity is the first step. Stop and take a few minutes to practice deep breathing. Everything will come back into focus. Take deep breathing breaks a few times a day.

- Stop multi-tasking. You may be handling ten things at once but you sacrifice quality with quantity. Studies reveal that focusing on one task completely will result in much better results.

- Listen to your body’s signals. You might be able to bypass an outburst of anger if you notice the signs that precede such an outburst such as increased heart rate and a tingling feeling.

- Take time for nature. Very little in life is as soothing and inspiring as an encounter with the natural world around us. A simple walk in the woods can be the recipe for a renewed sense of wonder, serenity and the necessary energy to plow onward.

- Practice mindfulness. Perform your everyday task with a sense of mindfulness, which might be translated as being aware of the present moment.

- Prioritize. On that never ending to-do list, what really need to get handled today?

- Listen with mindfulness.

- Learn to meditate. It increases your ability to concentrate, focus and be aware. Even ten minutes a day is highly beneficial.

Life is short but sweet. Take the time to taste all the sweetness. The old adage about stopping to smell the roses is fitting but being fully aware of that rose is even better yet! There is more to that rose than just its scent. Don’t rush through life and miss out on all it has to offer. Cultivating awareness yields huge returns, all of them good.

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