What the Super Bowl is Teaching Me About Awareness
I’m a Pats fan. I married a Pats fan (though he claims his first love is the Vikings…) and both of my sons are decked out in Pats gear for each game. I laugh at the various “Pats are the best” memes I see online, I cringe at the thought of the trash talk that will be coming our way from my brother-in-law (an Eagles fan) and I’m anxiously trying to remember what I did during the Super Bowl last year to ensure another win (yup, uber superstitious).
I think most of Patriots Nation can relate as the Super Bowl approaches, but how many of these fans are completely aware of their actions?
I admit I wasn’t completely aware of my own actions during the most recent Pats game until my husband mentioned I was louder during the game than he was, and I was holding our 5-week old son.
This gave me pause. I vividly remember yelling at the TV as Amendola scored the winning touchdown, and remember apologizing to my son for screaming as I removed my hands from his ears. Yes, covering his ears was a subconscious reaction, but I didn’t realize how loud I was until he looked up at me with a confused expression, as if asking “Was that necessary?” I was so caught up in the game, I wasn’t aware of my surroundings.
Reflecting on this specific situation made me realize how unaware I am of so many of my actions in my daily life. It happens; you find yourself on autopilot, going through motions without really paying attention to what you’re doing. You don’t stop and notice. Instead you move through life in habit-mode.
Whether it’s watching a football game or moving through the tired haze of parenting at the end of the day when the kids are in bed, there are so many opportunities to be fully present to improve your connection to, and participation in, the moments of your life. It takes intention and awareness.
So, here are a few things you can incorporate into your daily routine to help you become more tuned in to stop, notice, consider and appreciate more of the things life can offer.
- Breathe – take an extra breath before making a decision or reacting to a situation. Count to 10 to help you reset your mind and your energy.
- Look around – what’s happening around you? Where are you? Who are you with? How will your next action impact your surroundings?
- Reflect – what would, or could, you have done differently during your day to generate better results?
These simple tips can have a significantly positive impact not only on how you feel and act every day, but also on those around you. Give it a try.
And go Pats!
