On the way down one morning I was in a hurry and going too fast for the terrain. I've been to Peaceful Valley and to this chapel many times over the years. Hear the birds outside my office window. One rock at a time -- that's all I chose to think about.How aware are you of this moment? Does life seem to speed up so much that you miss some of the most important parts? Take a moment right now and breathe. Be here now. The view at the top -- a part of the Rocky Mountain range -- is breathtaking.

The lodge where I stayed is called Peaceful Valley, and it has a chapel on the premises.I thought: I could do this more often.I slowed down, took a deep breath, and placed my foot down purposefully on the next rock, and then the next."-- Tom Crum, "Journey to Center"Wishing you good energy in every moment! 2004 Judy Ringer, Power & Presence TrainingYou're welcome to reprint this story. The chapel is at the end of a steep ten-minute hike, which has become a ritual for me.I just got back from Colorado where I spent a week relaxing, re-energizing and revisiting the key values in my life. And I rubber conveyor belt was suddenly more aware of everything -- the sound of the wind, the chattering of birds and squirrels, and the light of the early morning sun on the golden aspens. If you do, please include this reference: Judy Ringer is a conflict and communication skills trainer, black belt in aikido, and sole owner of Power & Presence Training. BE at the stop light, instead of minutes or hours ahead at the destination. I nearly fell. Now. And wherever the art of centering is practiced, things change dramatically. But it turned out to be an amazing centering and meditative practice. I soon sped up and had to slow myself down again. Feel the steering wheel as I drive.

The really hard thing is to be fully present in one place at a time.I begin to think that multi-tasking is overrated.I decided that even if I was late, I would place each foot consciously every time I took a step. It took a lot for me to do this. It's now that you're alive, not yesterday and not tomorrow. Count to 5 on the inhale, and count 5 again on the exhale."Centering is the art of being fully alive. For ideas and inspiration on conflict, communication, and creating the life you want, Take the time. There were lots of rocks, and it was easy to hit a wobbly one and slip. Feel the touch of my foot on the rock.