I was walking through Central Park one morning on the way to my office and happened to look up in the sky at a place in the park where the sky opens overhead. The sky was a beautiful morning blue and, hanging above the tallest buildings off in the distance, was a half moon. Flying under the moon was a sleek white airplane, and just to the left, flying over the park, was a flock of Canadian geese. The scene was transfixing, and I simply stood and watched for a few moments. Then, something caught my attention off to the right and I looked over to find two dogs playing a growling. By the time I looked back at the sky, the flock of geese was gone and the airplane was nearly out of sight.

What struck me in that moment was how quickly the passing moment comes and goes. I had two responses. First, I wished I hadn’t missed seeing the geese fly out of sight. Secondly, I recognized that the passing moment had come and gone and that’s the way it is – always and without exception. I was grateful to be reminded to stay present with what’s emerging in my life experience and to pay attention to those things that touch me because they will soon have moved on.

For this week’s experiment, I invite you to take time to notice and savor the passing moments that bring you pleasure. Take time to really absorb and experience them without taking them for granted. Notice the sensations in your body, the state of mind, your emotional response as you move through a pleasurable moment. Even as you know, without question, the moment will pass and become something else, jump fully into the pleasure and become aware of what it’s like to fully give yourself to something you know will end.

Also, notice how it is to remind yourself that the uncomfortable moments are also passing, inevitably and absolutely. What’s it like to move through discomfort with the knowledge that it is another passing moment – a moment that will come and then go in your experience?

As with all the experiments, be sure to allow yourself the room to be curious and free of judgment. The key here is to have an opportunity to practice savoring the delicious moments and allowing the not-so-delicious moments to move on through without struggle.