Some people who won't write, who can't sit still...can learn about themselves another way. Those of you who have difficulty in being still can simply walk around your daily life paying complete, mindful attention to everything you are doing, thinking, feeling. If your own life and what you do every day doesn't happen to you, doesn't interest you, what will?

We live so much of our lives mechanically. There's the experience we've all had of walking or riding somewhere and arriving without knowing how the time passed. It went by without our being conscious of it. Do you really want to arrive on your deathbed, look back at your life, and say, "What was that?"

Eat mindfully (you'll learn things about yourself, like what you really like to eat, whether you really are hungry or whether you're eating out of habit). Think mindfully (you'll learn whether you really hate the people you hate or you've just been taught to distrust them). Walk mindfully (you'll find out whether you even like to walk and whether you're seeing the beauty of the world or just the insides of your own head). Surf, skate, play ball, bike, dance, sing, commune with nature and one another mindfully. Lie down, get up, speak mindfully. Listen to your own opinions, what you like, what you don't like. Experiment with not having opinions all the time, experiment with not even needing to think all the time unless thought is necessary to get across the street. It's very difficult not to like this, dislike that, want this, not want that. Try attention instead of thought, like turning your eyes into windows instead of mirrors. Look at the sky, a tree, a passing face. Really look. Pay full attention to what you are doing, whenever you can. At least call yourself back when your attention wanders, because no one can pay attention all the time. Attention, being there for as many moments of your life as you can manage, will make your life more real, more meaningful, and you'll get to know yourself as your best friend much better. The best friend part is because, while you can't shape anybody else up, you can turn yourself into the best friend you'll ever have. Besides, you are always there.

Whether walking, eating, reading, thinking, moving, or sitting, simply be aware that walking, eating, reading, thinking, moving, or sitting is happening.