Hello My Friend,
We hear a lot about ‘being present’ and staying in the NOW. Eckhart Tolle wrote a brilliant book on the Power of Now….one of my top picks in recent years.
As with many truths or universal principles, there is probably no debate about the power of remaining present, so life can be thoroughly enjoyed.
Often we take for granted that people know exactly how to do something because it seems so obvious or simple. But even the most obvious or simple process can benefit from some light being shed…some tips and steps to take…
5 Exercises for Staying Present:
1. Breathe deeply and follow the path of your breath from nostrils to lungs (as diaphragm expands) back out through your mouth. I actually like to imagine my breath traveling through my body, bringing precious oxygen to every welcoming cell.
2. BE where you are standing right now without reference to the past or concern for the future…smell the flower, watch and marvel at the setting/rising of the sun, appreciate the beauty of nature, feel the rain on your face, tickle a child and hear the giggles, bask in gratitude, praise God, see what is in front of you (or in you) for what it is and/or who they are in that very moment.
3. Put thoughts on PAUSE. For a moment, just sit and still your mind; Breathing helps with this, repeating a simple phrase, closing your eyes and visualizing your life energy around your body and immersing yourself in the warm glow of Love (don’t think about the glow, or about how you feel about the glow, just sense it) are all helpful in pausing the mind.
4. Observe/Sense your thoughts and emotions in THIS moment like a reporter would and accept it without judgment or editorial comments.
5. Don’t think about yourself or about your feelings and perspectives for a specified period of time. A great time to practice this is in conversation with another person. Allow yourself to be fully present, observing and listening with full and complete commitment.
A few years ago, first thing in the morning my family and I read an Og Mandino passage (from his book The Greatest Salesman in the World – Chapter 12, the scroll marked V) about living each day fully (as if it was the last day to live) and it helped me immensely with staying focused on each present moment.
It may seem maudlin at first – to think of today as the last day but it isn’t. It’s all about the motivation for the thought….I’m not suggesting dwelling on your mortality and living in fear.
NOT AT ALL.
It is important however to appreciate the extent to which we simply do not have control over our fate and mortality. With this appreciation, we are then able to take full advantage of every moment we are blessed to live.
Staying present is not easy in a world of constant stimulation and distraction. It takes real effort and like all good things in life that require commitment and effort, it is so worth it! ♥ˆ◡ˆ♥
Some of my favorite quotes…
Wishing you an abundance of peace, love and joy — in THIS very moment,
∞♥∞
