Static

Tara Lynn is vacuuming the hallway, I thought to myself. Earlier today it was: Tara Lynn is sweeping Pringles off the kitchen floor, and before that: Tara Lynn is scrubbing sticky goo out of the kitchen sink. Yes, lately I have found myself narrating my life in terms of facebook statuses; and lest you think my days consist only of crumby, gooey household chores (which is only partly true), today Tara Lynn has also been reading a really good book, drinking a wonderful latte and playing a rousing game of Connect Four with her four-year-old.

Of course, one could argue that I spend too much time on facebook (I would vehemently disagree with them but, they would really probably be right). But hey, at least I’m not posting a new status on facebook every time I change activities. I am keeping these status changes to myself…mulling them over in my own head. In fact, one could argue…and I will…that this is actually a healthy activity. It’s a little brain activity that I (and, I’m sure, millions of others) like to call “the practice of being present”.

I am a writer, an analyzer and a contemplator; genetically pre-disposed to spend a lot of time ruminating over things. Like many other people, I struggle with what I call static of the brain…so many thoughts happening at once that it is difficult to focus on just one; and virtually impossible to act on any of the cluttered plans buzzing around and bumping into each other like a bunch of pesky gnats.

Unfortunately, as a result of this brain static, I spend most of my time functioning on auto-pilot and missing out on the simple joy of being fully present in everyday events like eating a delicious breakfast, reading a fascinating new story to my very appreciative child, or enjoying the cool breeze and the sound of crickets while sitting on the back porch.

For too long, my body has been present during these activities but I have not. When I think about the memories I have missed and the opportunities I have overlooked, I more determined to be present in every activity, to be intentional with my time, to cut through the static and clear my head. If narrating my life in facebook statuses helps me to accomplish that goal then so be it. However, if I start posting every one of those statuses on facebook, someone please plan an intervention.