Welcome To The Present Tense
Let’s try something.
Find someplace where you can be quiet for a few minutes. Get comfortable and close your eyes.
Now focus on the inhale and exhale of your breath through your nose. Do that for a few rounds, and you should start to feel a little settled.
Set a timer for five minutes. Close your eyes again, and return to focusing on the inhale and exhale through your nose. That’s all I’m asking you to do.
If your mind wanders — spoiler alert, it will — just notice that it happened. Gently, being nice to yourself, try again. Return to focusing on the inhale and the exhale.
Turn off the five-minute alarm when it rings. Then take a minute or so to notice what happened. When your mind wandered, where did you go? Did you go to something that happened in the past? Did you go to something that may or may not happen in the future? Did you do both, past and future?
That’s usually what happens for me.
But here’s the thing: When my mind wanders to the past or the future (which is almost all the time), I’m missing out (also almost all the time) on the present.
The present is when we focus on the inhale and exhale through our nose. Just that. Right here. And it’s a really, really nice place to be.
To not be worrying about something that may or may not happen in the future, that is, or to fret about something that happened in the past.
It’s just now.
Welcome to the present tense.
If you have a few minutes more, try the experiment again. This time, when your mind wanders (and it will), see if words like “did” or “was” are involved or, alternatively, “will” or “should.”
Those are not the present tense. They are not the present perfect, either.
I’ve been playing around with this experiment, and I jotted down some things I noticed while inhaling and exhaling in the present tense, with words like “is” and “am.“
It turns out to look something like a poem.
This Is The Breath…
That straightens my spine like the palm trees in the grove over there.
That pumps more blood through my heart.
That loosens the kink in my shoulder blade.
That helps my digestion.
That circulates the oxygen through me.
That also inspires the next article.
That recognizes the aromas of your kitchen, and that wine.
This Is The Breath I Take Before…
I pitch my next idea.
I introduce myself to a crowd.
I click Send.
I sign on the dotted line.
This is the breath I catch…
After we dance.
***
How is your breath right now, here in the present tense?
Namaste,
Cathy
What We're Reading:
Here's what has piqued our interest this week in the world of wine and mindfulness.
Why the Ego Is an Obstacle to Mindful Leadership – Mindful Magazine
Here’s how the inner “me voice” of ego can get in the way, and a simple way to practice leading with presence.
Work Mindfully: 3 Ways to Work Smarter, Not Harder – Psychology Today
Mindfulness can help you have wiser productivity.
Staring at an image of yourself on Zoom has serious consequences for mental health – especially for women - The Conversation.com
Mirrors, selfies and knowing other people are looking at you all cause people to think of themselves as objects. Video calls are all three in one and are likely increasing the harms of self-objectification.
Experts reveal how alcohol affects your body while on a flight - The Drinks Business
The effects of consuming alcohol while on a flight have been disclosed by experts who have studied human responses to drinking at altitude.
Meet Ikimi Dubose-Woodson, the Powerhouse Behind The Roots Fund – Janice Williams for Pix.wine
The nonprofit is making strides for diversity and inclusion in the wine industry.
We Need to Talk About the Important Role of Sugar in Wine Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen for Wine Enthusiast.net
Low- and no-sugar wines, often marketed with a “better for you” positioning, aim to appeal to health-conscious wine lovers, but there is an important role for sugar in wine.
Meet the Community:
Here we meet some of the talented folks who make our profession so dynamic.
Devyani Isabel Gupta, Winemaker & Viticulturist, Valdemar Estates, Walla Walla, WA (USA)
Years in the Industry:
9 years in the industry. I began at first in sales, and made the switch to production and viticulture in 2016. I was fortunate to work early on with the SeVein partners, in both the vineyard and cellar to immerse myself in both sides of wine-growing.
My Top Three Challenges to Wellness:
Making time for self-care during high-demand periods such as bottling and harvest. There are days where I feel like I am hustling from A to B (to C to D), and I convince myself “I don’t have time” for the extra details - I need to just “get it done”. In these busy periods where everything is urgent, when I try to prioritize my limited remaining time, I end up putting self-care low on the list, and forget to savor the moment. I just plow through the routine. Even something basic like a shower feels like another thing to “do”, instead of time to wash off the day (or juice!) and reset.
Appreciating great wine is usually intertwined with appreciating great food – and while it’s an attractive aspect of the wine industry, it has its pitfalls. Whether you are hosting or attending events for your brand, there is a culture of over-consumption. In the moment, everything is so enticing and exciting, it is hard to keep a balance of want vs. need. When it is just one event here or there, this scale can still be in balance… but when these gatherings become almost weekly occurrences (or more), the scales tip, and that voracity of want can become a new state of need, and ultimately a habit and threat to your long-term wellness. As a winemaker, maintaining a healthy, balanced relationship with alcohol is important as I work to take care of my mind, body, and palate.
Setting boundaries with work and social media to make time for being in the moment. I love my job, and I deeply care about our projects. As a result, it can be hard for me to turn off my phone, and ignore work emails, even on vacation. This is something I am working on, and a challenge to Wellness I am still trying to find balance with.
How I Keep It Together to Stay Well:
Schedule self-care: literally schedule a shower, walk, lunch prep etc in your calendar. Just as scheduling a meeting at work is a commitment, schedule a commitment to yourself (and ultimately those who need you to be your best self). With that – set manageable and attainable goals. I don’t have time for a 75 minute yoga class 3 days a week; however, I do have 20 minutes in the morning for yoga, and I can do that almost every day.
Feel the power of meal prep. Each Sunday, I pack enough lunches for 3 days, and it helps me start the week in a healthy, prepared state of mind, instead of leaning on DoorDash or scrambling to reheat a packaged frozen meal.
Use the “Buddy System”: Sometimes it is hard to commit to taking care of ourselves, and easier to commit to caring for someone else. I have found that by scheduling time to pack lunches for a friend in need, I end up packing lunches for myself as well. Make time for a walk because your dog needs a walk. Sign up for yoga classes with a friend.
What Inspires Me:
The great outdoors. There is nothing more grounding to me than being outside. Even just pulling up a chair and watching the weather roll over the Blue Mountains is awe-inspiring to me. I think this need for “grounding” is what drew me to viticulture – it is humbling. The forces of nature will keep moving, striving, thriving with or without you. It helps put your life into context.
A Quote I Love
“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.” – Charles Glassman
You can connect with Devyani on Instagram @Devyaniisabel Facebook and her website Valdemar Estates
