This lesson in creating awareness in the moment is from Mirka Kraftsow, co-director of the American Viniyoga Institute and is found in the Yoga Journal’s Novemember 2010 issue, page 22:

A busy mind is like a blindfold, keeping the sights and sounds of the world from penetrating your awareness. When you’re distracted, you miss the opportunities to enjoy the sweetness of your surroundings-and yourself. Take these three simple actions to wake up to the present moment:
1. STOP Clap your hands, just once, but loudly, as if you wanted to get someone’s attention. (Your attention!) If you’re in a public place, you might, instead, silently but emphatically say to yourself, “Wake up!”
2. BREATHE Do a brief round (20 counts) of Kapalabhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath). Or simply take a few focused, deep breaths with the intention to enliven your whole being with oxygen.
3. REMEMBER Repeat this affirmation of sovereignty: “Here I am.” This moment is the only one. The beginning and the end of your experience is the here and now. Suggest to yourself, “Now I am awake. I remember who I am, and I am present to the world around me.”