If my wallet could talk.... (mindfulness - or lack therof)

Oh the places my wallet(s) have been. If they could talk about all the times I've misplaced and neglected them.

Of course I chose right before I need to board a plane to lose my wallet...again. (Not that I haven't gotten on a plane before with my library card. I just prefer to walk through instead of coerce the agent.) I cleaned my room and car and it was nowhere to be found! I checked with friends; not with them.

The last place I had it??

Winco?

I call, and yep...it's there.

Seriously self? Winco? Winco! I left it in the cart?

At least it wasn't the DI donation box this time! Or somewhere in the Czech Republic with my passport in it. Or the backwoods of Costa Rica.

Ok, I admit it. I have a problem. I misplace things (I say misplace because usually I get them back). Now that I've admitted the problem, what's the root cause and the solution?

Root cause: I'm always running to the next thing. I usually keep my life pretty packed. I don't often take time in between events. I don't take the time to think about everything around me or process the experience before rushing off to the next one. ie. sneaking out of grad school graduation to catch a plane to Africa.

Solution: My friends suggest a beeper for my wallet. But then I'd have to get one for my keys, camera, phone, etc. And then I'd probably lose the beeper.



I could be more mindful? Deliberately plan a few minutes running from place to place to look around and think about the past experience and ease into the next. Not run faster than I have strength. Be appreciative of the experience and the people that were part of it. Be grateful and spend a moment preparing for the new opportunity.

Maybe the increased mindfulness will prevent me from losing my mind...and my wallet.