I remember an evening conversation with my friend where we had a deep discussion about awareness. It all started with us talking about our experiences in life and the lessons we’ve learned. I concluded by saying that most of life is within our control—that there is no such thing as luck. Everything is shaped by our actions and decisions.
But my friend immediately retorted, “Let me give you a scenario.” He went on to explain:
“One morning, while driving through busy roads, I see a biker on a crossroad rushing to get to the other side. In his attempt, he loses balance, his bike skids, and he crashes into my car. He falls to the ground, bruised. Now, am I not unlucky? For no fault of mine, I have to deal with the backlash from people who think I knocked him down. I had to take him to the doctor and pay for his treatment myself. I even had to apologize for everything, even though it was his mistake. I lost an entire day dealing with the situation.”
His frustration was clear, and I could understand why he felt that way. Certain unfortunate events not only drain our time and pockets but also mentally exhaust us. Those moments sometimes stay with us for days. I could see where he was coming from.
As author Robin Sharma famously says, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” But in real life, it’s hard to justify moments like these. We may not be able to control everything, but we can certainly avoid many unpleasant situations by simply being aware.
Justifying My Perspective: Three Scenarios
I knew I couldn’t just rely on quotes to justify my point. So, I shared three scenarios with him:
Scenario 1:
Imagine you need to reach your office by 9 am, and it takes 30–45 minutes to get there. You wake up at 8 am, quickly get ready, and rush through the busy streets. During this time, you’re probably stressed, thinking about work, regrets from yesterday, and tasks for the day. If you don’t like your job, I don’t need to explain the kind of mood you’re likely in during the drive. You’re mentally scattered, and that lack of focus can affect your driving and other decisions throughout the day.
Scenario 2:
Now, imagine you wake up at 6 am, spend an hour exercising or doing yoga, and then have time to plan your day, enjoy a proper breakfast, and get ready by 8:15 am. In this scenario, you’re much more relaxed. While you may still think about past, present, and future events, the overall mood will be more positive. The exercise boosts your confidence, gives you mental clarity, and sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. This level of preparation and self-care significantly lowers the chances of a stressful, reactive mindset.
Scenario 3:
Now, imagine waking up at 5 am. You begin your day with walking, exercises, or yoga. Then, you take some time to engage in something you truly enjoy, like reading, writing, singing, or playing a musical instrument. Afterward, you spend 5–10 minutes sitting in solitude, focusing on your breath and the present moment. By the time you’re on the road, you’re centered and calm. You’re fully aware of your body and surroundings. You’re not stressing about the past or future. You’ve trained your mind to be present and aware, which drastically improves your mental clarity.
Driving through familiar roads, you’re calm, focused, and prepared for anything that comes your way. You know the routes, the cross-roads, and anticipate any potential obstacles. Your state of mind is peaceful, and you navigate the day with ease and awareness.
My Friend’s Response
As expected, my friend admitted that he was usually in Scenario 1—rushing, distracted, and stressed. He mentioned he often woke up at 7:30 am, checked the news and social media, rushed through his breakfast, and scrambled to get to work. This mindset not only wastes precious time but also affects his mood and decision-making.
He was interested in how to break free from this cycle and move toward Scenario 3. After all, who wouldn’t want to be more mindful, present, and aware?
Breaking the Cycle: One Step at a Time
It all comes down to consistent efforts and simple time management techniques. I know someone personally who embodies this level of calm awareness in every aspect of his life.
He’s an early riser, up by 5 am every day, including weekends. He spends an hour on physical activity—exercising and practicing yoga. Then, he spends another hour practicing the guitar, something he’s passionate about. After that, he takes a stroll in the nearby park to observe nature and clear his mind.
This simple yet powerful morning routine keeps him centered and calm throughout the day. He isn’t bothered by the small things—traffic, weather, or the workload—because he’s trained himself to stay in the present.
He says it’s not necessary to sit alone and meditate to improve concentration. Sometimes, just observing nature, people, or the world around you can help you focus and stay grounded.
Your Journey to Awareness
What if you haven’t discovered your passion yet? Don’t worry—start with your health. Make your body your passion. When you’re physically well, everything else falls into place.
Think about all the opportunities you’ve missed due to indecision or lack of awareness. Often, we’re either brooding over the past or distracted by irrelevant things—social media, news, celebrity gossip—when we could be focusing on the present.
Ask yourself:
- Am I aware?
- Am I aware of the power I hold?
- Am I aware of my breath, my movements, and my surroundings?
Try slowing down by just one second. Focus on each action you take, whether it’s breathing, walking, or even eating. This simple practice can significantly improve your awareness and overall well-being.
Final Thoughts
Being aware is the key to transforming your life. Start small, take consistent action, and gradually build up to the level of awareness where every moment is meaningful. When you practice awareness, you unlock the ability to control your reactions and make better decisions, leading to a more fulfilled life.Be aware. Be present.