I ask this question to myself especially in the midst of chaos. I first came across it listening to Tara Brach, a Buddhist psychologist, on her podcast.
There are a million things to take care of and I don’t see how they could all be done. I panic, I’m already behind and I feel stuck. I am paralyzed to do a single item on my list right now including composing a blog post. That’s when I remember this question and meditate on it. I am sitting on the lilac colored chair across my computer. I sit back, uncross my legs, put both my feet down, stop typing, close my eyes, and contemplate, ‘in this moment what matters most?’. After a short suspense ‘my breath’ is the first thing that pops in my head. I notice my breath first time today, and find myself breathing slower as if savoring the current breath. ‘That I am alive’ is the second thought that jumps. I am alive I notice joyfully!
It is true. Feeling alive matters more than accomplishing the items on the list, and I always have another breath to take which I do with ease (thankfully). I start feeling resilient and the pressure eases and I start working on the item in front of me.
What matters most to you in this very moment?
