Being Present for Dolphin Joy
One of my favorite things about living on the west coast of Florida is frequent dolphin sightings. I usually see these magnificent mammals a few times per month either in the Gulf of Mexico or in Sarasota Bay. By contrast, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I spotted wild dolphins in the Atlantic Ocean during the 18 years I lived on the other side of the state. It never fails to bring me joy when I see them.
On my morning walks, I keep my eyes peeled for their rounded gray dorsal fins breaking the surface of the turquoise waters. For some reason, they have been very elusive this summer. I had not seen any dolphins for weeks, maybe months.
This week, while doing stretches in that same spot next to Sarasota Bay where my mom has been delivering messages, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a little black fish dart under a rock. The unusually quick movement made me wonder if it was trying to escape a predator.
That’s when I looked in the direction it came from just in time to see a mama dolphin and her calf surface about 20 feet from where I was standing. A smile and a wave of gratitude washed over me. The timing was perfect. Had I not seen that little fish, I would not have looked in that direction in that moment.
I thought about grabbing my phone to take a photo when they came up for another breath, but I decided just to enjoy the moment. By then, they would have been much further away so it wouldn’t have been a great photo anyway. To my delight, they did surface again quite a ways away, but I enjoyed seeing them just the same.
So often, my instinct is to capture a moment like that with my phone so I can remember it and share it later. Recently, while listening to a fascinating interview with a neuroscientist who studies how we form memories, I learned that taking pictures actually lessens our ability to retain the memory. His research confirmed what we all probably know intuitively. Our devices take us out of the moment because they place a barrier between us and the lived experience. Furthermore, being fully present gives us more sensory data to recall and relish.
Not that I won’t ever take another photo of a stunning sunset or a selfie with friends at lunch. (I’m usually the one who requests those.) However, I am being mindful to take fewer photos, thus allowing myself to savor those magical moments, especially when Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show!
The photo above is one of those magical moments. The clouds were so amazing I couldn't resist, but I did only snap that one picture before rejoining the moment. One photo is progress for me!
I am so grateful to those dolphins (and that little fish) for giving me the opportunity to practice staying in the moment to experience joy in real-time. It was a brief encounter, but it absolutely improved my mood. It was also a good reminder that things I desire often appear when I stop trying so hard to make them happen.
Perhaps this little moment of dolphin joy will inspire you to leave your phone in your pocket more often and fully witness the magical moments that life presents. If you are curious about that discussion on the mechanics of memory, click this link to listen to The Armchair Expert interview with Charan Ranganath. It was very illuminating and fun.
It would be my great honor to assist you in being present and opening to more joy with a series of Spiritual Coaching Sessions or a Private Family Constellations Session. Both can help you release perceptions and patterns that no longer serve. Please look around my website for more information and to book a session. I look forward to creating miracles with you.
Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.
Eckhart Tolle ~ The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment