Several years ago I was having a discussion with one of the monks at our temple about concentration/staying in the moment.
He said he challenged himself to watch his hands while completing a task for 5 days!
Huh? Watch your hands? Sounded weird but I tried it. I didn't make it 5 days though. More like 5 minutes. I kept at it, when I remembered, and it helps/works.
I have "danger zones." The kitchen, the bathroom and my bead making areas. I knock stuff over. I have cracked a knuckle against a cabinet door more times than I can count, I have scraped the skin off the back of my forearm retrieving something in the back of the fridge.
I seem to go into those places ok - it's coming back out that's the problem. I pay attention while I'm in the "reach mode" and then abandon ship after the grab.
Why? I stopped looking at my hands. I was already on to the next thought while I was extracting the mustard or the platter in the dishwasher, or the sock in the washing machine, etc.
When I make beads and later fashion them into bracelets, I'm working in a confined area. Toothpicks are involved - don't ask - and I'm embarrassed to tell you how many times I've toppled them over. Some swearing ensued.
So. Wanna give it a try? If so, get back to me and let me know how it went.
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