"No matter how fast we go, no matter how many comforts we forgo...there never seems to be enough time." - Jay Walljasper

Our lives are jam packed full of activities. We dash from one to the next with hardly a chance to pee let alone smell the roses! Think of the myriad of activities you have undertaken throughout the course of your day, from the time you awake and rise, to the time you retire to sleep at the end of the day. As you change from one activity to the next, do you rush frantically, often forgetting something behind? Do you feel like you have run a marathon at the end of each day?

Rather than rushing frantically from one activity to the next, imagine what it would be like to be mindful of what's really important to you. Instead of worrying, obsessing about all you have to do, planning obsessively to the nth degree, doubting, or whatever your negative thought pattern of choice, let's channel that energy into a more positive focus.

Have some fun by identifying all the activities you have participated in today. In the first 2 hours of my day today, I:

· Awoke and lounged in bed
· Brushed my teeth
· Exercised
· Showered, dressed and primped
· Read my morning inspiration, prayed and took a moment of gratitude
· Practiced Alexander Technique
· Meditated
· Made breakfast and ate it
· Read the newspaper
· Checked my e-mail

If I were to jump from one activity to the next, by the end of the day, my head would be spinning. Taking moments to transition from one activity to the next helps to focus and engage in activities in the most mindful way. My transition moments are most effective when I take time to be. I'd like to share with you my top 10 list of favorite mindfulness moments:

1. Take a Stillpoint. Doing nothing for a moment. "Stop, breathe and remember". It involves a physical part - being still and breathing - and a spiritual part - remembering, centering, be grateful, praying. Considered a moment of quiet contemplation, it is distinct from meditation, and used for people too busy to meditate! There are many moments throughout the day where this technique can be incorporated: a bathroom break, walking from one meeting or activity to another, decompressing on the commute home after a long day. It takes only a moment and can add such a peaceful escape; a moment to become fully awake and remember who we are. We can be so busy that we lose ourselves along the way, and it takes much longer than a few "Stillpoints" throughout the day to find ourselves again.

2. Acknowledge what I've just accomplished. I do so many different activities throughout my day, that by the end of the day, I need to rewind and reflect back on all that I have done. Acknowledging what I have done has become a bedtime ritual for me, along with assessing what I would have liked to have done better. It's so much more fulfilling when I acknowledge my accomplishment after each activity. A quick pat on the back before I take a deep breath and start the next activity, is a great way to re-energize for the next.

3. Sit quietly and let my mind empty. My mind is always racing. It can spin into overwhelm, thinking of all the things I want to do. Can you imagine what's it's like to not think? Try it for a moment. Where does your mind wander? C'mon, admit it. You did think about something. Follow where your mind wanders. It can take you to a place of remembering something important. Perhaps something you really want more of in your life. You can make a choice to change your situation and make room for more of what you want in your life.

4. Moving meditation. I practice Taoist Tai Chi and taking a break to do a few foundation exercises clears my mind and helps me to focus. Moving my body while relaxing gives me energy, clarity and focus. I often take these mini-breaks while I'm waiting for the kettle to boil for tea, waiting for a long document to print, or listening to a long teleconference introduction. While I was working in a corporate setting, I would use a bathroom break as an opportunity to practice some foundation exercises, with a bit of privacy. Another example of moving meditation is taking a moment to pet the cat! It's restorative for both of us.

5. Standing meditation. This technique is more feasible to incorporate in moments throughout the day. I take a moment to stand up after working at the computer for a length of time, and stand quietly or sometimes let the weight shift from one foot to the other. Reconnecting to the activity I was just doing takes little effort with this technique. It can be incorporated into activities like washing the dishes, pouring a cup of water, brushing teeth. I let all my weight drop into my feet, and relax everything as much as possible, for a moment, before starting the activity.

6. Gaze out the window. Tracing the branches of a tree with my eyes, to taking in some other beautiful object in nature, gives me a sense of calm. Taking in whatever is happening outside, like watching the people passing by, or the neighbourhood cats on their prowl, or whether there is any wind by looking for flags flying. Taking this moment to view whatever is going on around me gives me a chance to get outside of myself, and know that there is lots of life out there to enjoy. Really taking in the environment with my sight or other senses is a great escape.

7. I let my neck release, and my back lengthen and widen (Alexander Technique). A body awareness technique with a mantra is a healthy escape and a quick check in to make sure I'm using myself well.

8. Daydream. The best escape of all is taking a mini-vacation. What a great way to raise spirits! I get an instant high, thinking of hiking in Costa Rica, feeling the warmth and humidity, the strength of my calves and thighs and the solidness of the earth under my feet, breathing in the tropical rainforest around me, hearing the howling of the howler monkeys, searching to sight them. It brings me to another world, a world I know I will explore again someday. It makes where I am now and what I'm doing feel so ordinary and commonplace, and somehow, reduces the urgency and stress of the moment.

9. Relax and breathe. When I feel anxious thoughts or worry translate into tension in my body, I listen to the message my body is giving me, and take a moment to relax, and breathe.

10. Think: What's the most important thing to me, right now?

When I remember to incorporate these moments into my daily life, I have much more clarity. This escape from the busyness of everyday, gives me a moment to reflect on what's really important. Over time, I have more awareness about activities I spend time on that are not fulfilling to me, and this awareness has led me to make more conscious choices. The challenge is to maintain these positive habits!

It takes 21 days to form a new habit. I invite you to discover 3 transition techniques that you can incorporate into your daily life. Like my list, they could be as simple as taking a moment to pause and breathe, or as involved as practicing a body awareness technique like Alexander Technique. They can be fun and creative, or inspiring, like visualizing your ideal vacation spot. Once you have a repertoire to play with, choose a few milestones to check in on throughout your day. Choose a few activities that you always do, like eating breakfast, lunch or dinner, or arising and retiring for the night. Check in with yourself at least during those moments, and choose one of your techniques to play.

As you find the results give you more clarity, relaxation, enjoyment, you may want more of this in your life. Then step it up a bit and try to incorporate more moments. You will soon find more peace and calm, especially while transitioning between activities.