The Gift of Being Present

This year has been a time to remember and one day we will look back and say wow that was crazy. Has there been anything good that has come out of this time for you?

I can say some of the things that have been good for me is that I have focused on my self care. My emotional state some days is much to be desired however at that time I look for the tools that help me, so the emotional state does not become who I am. Through the changes and challenges that life throws at us, sometimes you can become full of anger and if we hold onto that anger it will become who we are. I can say that there have been times that I found myself becoming angry and then I recognize it and know that its time to work on self care. We owe it to ourselves to grow through our challenges, however not let the issues around us change who we truly are. Of course we have to feel it, but then do something that you enjoy that will help you release that feeling. Find compassion with yourself also. It is a very difficult time and then add more of life's challenges on top of it, it is a tremendous amount to carry. I love to help others and sometimes, I ask myself how can I do that if I have a problem helping myself? Then I stop and realize, I am human and it is ok to feel life's challenges, its totally normal.

One thing that helps us through the times that we feel anxious etc is being present, however we all know how difficult that can be. Harvard researchers found that our minds wander 47% of the time. When our mind wanders we are more stressed. Worrying about future events, holding fear about what may happen, or dwelling on the past events and keep looking back and saying things should have been different. The past is to learn from, not live in. If we spend our time looking backwards, we will miss everything that is good about today. Of course we do need to look at the past, embrace the good memories and learn from mistakes and also plan for a future; however if we continue to keep our focus there we will miss out on the present. There is balance between the past, future and present. Finding your balance maybe difficult, you will know when you have reached that balance when your stress subsides.

We live two lives, one in our thoughts and one in as our experiences though our present moment. Freedom comes through learning how to balance our thoughts and being in the present moment.

You deserve peace. The future is just a thought and hasn't happened yet, all the worry that you put into the future will not change it and sometimes what we worry about will not happen, so why hold that worry when you have this day right here that you have been given.

We have the power of where we invest our thoughts and how. Rather than torture ourselves about the things we cannot control, the unknown and the what if's, choose to make today a good day.

What can we do to help ourselves?

each morning when you start your day, think about the goals that you would like to complete today. Take a moment and visualize those goals. Visualization of your goals will not only help you to remain in the present moment but will release stress, improve your enhancement and give you the extra motivation that you might need to accomplish everything on your list.

Throughout the day take time to be in the moment. When you wash the dishes, feel the water, feel the weight of the dishes, keep your attention to the process.

Have you ever arrived to work and not even remember your drive? Turn the radio off and just drive in silence, take notice of the traffic around you, the way your body is feeling.

There is no magic formula to stop your mind from wandering. The recipe is practice and more and more practice. When you find you mind wandering gently bring it back to what you are doing. Use this as a game with yourself, your reward will be a happier life. The brain rewires itself as we do thing repeatedly, after recurring thought arrives, you will catch yourself quickly and positive thoughts will naturally come to mind, eventually the recurring thought will become a trigger and remind you to stay in the present.

Finally at the end of your day, take a review of your day and think about what you have accomplished and how you feel.

Listed below are a few things that will help us stay in the present moment and embrace our day.

watch how clouds move across the sky

Listen to the birds singing

Turn off your phone for the evening

Focus on what you are doing right this moment

Listen to your favorite song on repeat

Buy something for someone for no reason

start a new exciting project

go for a run, walk or other exercise

do yoga

meditate

watch a sunset or sunrise

Draw or paint something inspiring

Look for a positive in a problem

Share a joke with a friend and laugh more

Relax

Pay attention to your breathing for 2 minutes

close your eyes and imagine your paradise

write a list of the things you are grateful for

offer praise to someone who deserves it

watch a sleeping pet or child

look at the details of a flower

Lie outside in the sun and enjoy its heat

Look at the sky and all that it offers

indulge in a long warm bath

tell someone how much you love them

apologize to someone you hurt

Eat and enjoy your food mindfully

Be fully present in conversation, turn off your phone and be there, listen instead of speaking.

Let your mind become your friend