BEING PRESENT…FULLY PRESENT
Why is it important to be fully in the Present? Because all we really have is a series of ‘now’s.
If you have done “The Centre Within” with me, you will recall how we talk about our past training and acquired knowledge, and how that affects our attitude, belief system and lifestyle.
The final session on the second day of the 2-day workshop is all about setting goals and planning to achieve those things that we want out of life.
All of that is very important for the sort of life that we want to live, for us personally and in our work life, as well as for our family.
You will note the quote box this month is from Eckhart Tolle in his book “The Power of Now” (definitely recommended reading). It is a follow-on from my January newsletter where I highlighted Regrets, Anxiety and Gratitude.
Our mind tends to go from past experiences to future events – past, future, past, future, etc. Often those past and future thoughts compete with the Present for our attention and sometimes they win!
What does it mean to be in the Present? It means we are paying attention, focussing, noticing. One of the things we talk about in “The Centre Within” is the importance of listening to understand, to focus totally on the person we are speaking to.
Living in the Present has many benefits. It helps in our energy levels and motivation to achieve our goals. It makes us a better listener and increases our awareness of our surroundings. Overall it can lead to greater happiness in our life.
Learning to stay Present, in the moment, helps us absorb more knowledge and improve our skills. When we’re in the moment, we aren’t dwelling on past failures or paralysed by fear of the future.
Being in the Present is a magic place to be.
Here are some suggestions to help you establish some new patterns:
- If you’re having trouble keeping focussed, try deep breathing. Even counting your breaths will help to re-centre yourself and bring you into the Present. This will also help if you are heading into an anxious situation.
- “The Centre Within” and many of my shorter workshops teach Relaxation techniques. Any form of mindfulness, taking a few minutes of time-out every day will help in keeping you centred and focussed.
- As you know, I am big on gratitude and appreciation. If you find your mind is catapulting from past to future, take stock of where you are at the moment. Right now you are safe, well fed, with a roof over your head, living in the best country in the world etc.
- Keep in contact with your body. It is a fabulous barometer of where you are at. How is your body feeling? Have you had enough water? Are your hands sweaty? What is your body telling you? Check in with it often.
- Be kind to yourself. We are all uncertain at times. Not all of the questions have answers. Feeling upset and not knowing what is ahead can be unnerving. It’s OK to understand that there are some things out of our control.
What we’re looking for here is a balanced headspace. Living in the Present doesn’t mean we ignore the past or the future but it means having a healthy balance. Accept your thoughts, but don’t let them control you.
Every moment in your life has a purpose, with lots of joy, many lessons and so much more. Learning to be Present takes time, but it’s worth it for our ongoing well-being. I hope the above suggestions are helpful in you finding what is right for you.
As always, lots of love and much laughter.
