“Each moment is all being, each moment is the entire world. Reflect now whether any being or any world is left out of the present moment.”
-Dogen
Moments are those particular periods of time where we deem things to be of great importance that become memories that can help define us as to who we are as a person. These moments cannot only affect us but also those around us as these cn become their moments too. This is something that Japanese writer Dogen reminds us of in that when we make the connection that each moment that we experience is also someone else’s moment it is then where we become more socially aware.
The beauty behind each of these moments is that we in fact help to create them. When we are active participants we are able to embrace the sincerity and intentionality of the moments we experience. And often times we have the extreme gift to not experience this alone. There are others that go through that same experience along with you. However, what makes that moment special for you may not have the same special meaning to them which in essence makes the moment all the more magical.
In the book The Power of Moments (Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact) by Chip and Dan Heath they write that our most memorable positive moments are dominated by four elements: elevation, insight, pride, and connection. Elevation makes these defining moments rise above the everyday. They provoke not just transient happiness, like laughing at a friend’s joke, but memorable delight. Insight rewires our understanding of ourselves or the world. In a few seconds or minutes, we realize something that might influence our lives for decades. Pride captures us at our best — moments of achievement, moments of courage. We need to understand how to plan for a series of milestone moments that build on each other en route to a larger goal. Connection are those social events that are strengthened because we share them with others. If we embrace these elements, we can conjure more moments that matter. And moments are only as powerful as we make them to be.
What does this quote mean to you and how can you apply today’s message towards becoming more socially aware?
Becoming The Change 