Today, like other days, I feel myself thinking—about thinking. I call it a “split screen” similar to a sporting event or news channel with the scroll at the bottom of the screen. Two sets of information coming at me all at once. I can see both and think about both but not deeply.

I sometimes mistakenly feel this gives me an edge-I am multi tasking! I am active! Super charged 🔋! Heck, I might even be on my phone all at the same time.

I feel it happening. Mind racing, checking off to-do lists in my head, glancing at the phone. Considering the week ahead, the week that just past, did I buy dog food?

Spoiler alert: I am not only NOT multi tasking, I am less active, less super charged by thinking about thinking. I am standing in place while the present world is just out of reach.

You, my friend, do it too. I see the faces of people I pass. Frowns, focusing on the screen in front of them.

I participated in a conversation recently about the phenomenon of people going to a beach town and wanting to move there permanently.

When we go on vacation, head for a beach, mountain or new city, we look around. We listen to new sounds and sights that are present right there. The feelings are so intoxicating we believe it’s the place we need to be. We recount the details to everyone back home complete with pictures!

Unfortunately, when people move to their “dream” neighborhood, it often lacks that magic. We go right back to thinking about thinking even though that beach is a few miles away now.

So please, don’t move. Instead, look around, touch the grass, smell the coffee shop, call a friend and hear their voice. Pick your present and enjoy every sensation it brings.