Have you ever been in the car; arrived at your destination, and not even remembered your drive there? It’s like you could have been beamed there in a freaking spaceship for all you know! Talk about checked out!

Sure, everyone talks about the effects of technology and how it makes us distracted, and while that’s accurate, the truth is it doesn’t take technology to make us distracted – oftentimes we’re checked out even without the help of technology. We find we’re on autopilot, just drifting through life.

Whether we’re lost in thought coming up with, “woulda, shoulda, coulda” scenarios about some meeting at work or conversation that didn’t go as planned, or we’re worrying about something in the future that may never come to pass, the effect is the same: we’re not fully here in the present moment.

And if we’re not present, it’s impossible to feel real joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment in life. The irony is we can still experience the bad stuff (such as anxiety, angst, worry, you name it) if we’ve drifted off in thought somewhere re-hashing the past or worrying about the future. Being present is the only way we can truly experience all the good stuff that there is to be thankful for.

Are you checked out? How do you know? Today’s video offers a light, funny way to tell. You might see yourself in one of the scenarios. Lest you think I’m saying I have this handled, I tell one on myself in this video, too! You can see the video here:

Once you watch the video, I’d love to hear from you. Are you checked out? Are there certain events or triggers in your life that make you checked out? Use the comments box below to let me know! Here’s my challenge to you: I invite you to take on a practice of being present. Not only will it alter the quality of your own life for the better; it will make an immeasurable difference in the lives of those around you. Try it out for a week, and let me know how it goes!

Go get ‘em!
Cheryl