This week, I had an eye exam that turned into an unexpected lesson in mindfulness. After the usual eye pressure checks, retinal scans, testing out lenses for a new prescription, and of course, dilation, I was taken to the waiting area to wait for the ophthalmologist.
The room was filled with other patients sitting in two rows of chairs, each lining a wall in a dimly lit area. Because of our dilated pupils, reading on our phones was nearly impossible. We all sat there in silence. I saw a number of people closing their eyes, and then, I followed suit. It reminded me of something familiar, like a Quaker meeting I had attended just days before, where we also sat in silence.
I wonder how many moments like this I tend to miss. How many might be approached or created intentionally, once we find ourselves in the right spaces for them?
The next time you find yourself in an unplanned moment of stillness, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and sit with it. You might be surprised how much we need this.
— Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 