What exactly is mindfulness?

I'm filling up my water bottle using the spigot for the filtered water. I'm watching the water going into the container and I'm watching and I'm thinking....

There's the water. It looks pretty good... It's 1/4 of the way full. ... Still filling... Halfway full. I like how clean the water looks. I wonder if it's making a sound. Almost to the top. I have to shut it off in time... There we go... Done! (I turn the spigot off.)

Me... Filling up my water container 6 months ago....

Let me turn this on... Do I have to iron my skirt? Is it still in the closet? Have I gone shopping in a while? Let me leave this container here while I run upstairs and check my closet. What did I come upstairs for? I should probably take down the laundry. Should I make a phone call now about the pharmacy error? Was it really an error and am I supposed to take that? I'm going to call. Why is all this water all over the kitchen floor?

It's amazing the difference any amount of time can make when you start thinking in a more mindful way. We think multitasking is good and it makes us like superheroes but all it really does is make us act like freaks over time. I'm learning to live in the moment... Practice being in the present. It sounds odd, but it made a huge difference and I'm able to think clearer.

I highly recommend this age-old practice.