Be Here Now! Those wonderful words written by Ram Dass decades ago.
We only have the Now. The Now being this moment. That is where Life is happening right now. However we all spend so much time, worrying about the future or feeling guilt, regret and shame about the past that we don’t get to enjoy this moment.
Being present is what we ultimately need. This moment will never come around again. The past will never return and the future has not yet happened. When we focus on the past or worry about the future we are robbing ourselves of enjoying this moment.
Notice how your mind continuously tries to keep you out of the present moment. Try sit for a second and just enjoy that cup of tea or coffee you are drinking. Try think of nothing but just smell the fragrance, feel the heat of the liquid, the taste, notice how it goes down your throat and into your digestive system. Or just try get in the shower and think of nothing but what you are doing right then.
You’ll probably find your mind will start it’s commentary. “Oh my gosh, my stomach is getting fat, Wow I just love the smell of this soap, I must remember to get some more. Oh no, I forgot to phone Jason, he may be so mad. Do you think he’ll still go out with me? How can I get out of work early to be with him? I wonder if my Boss will let me go..Damn he doesn’t like me he’ll probably make me stay at work until 5.30. Oh how I would love to walk in there and….Is that Coffee Machine that smells like that? Geez is it starting to burn? Wow can you imagine if the house caught on fire. Does my home insurance cover that? Speaking about house insurance, I wish I could get a bigger house…..and on and on. There is no pattern it just keeps coming and coming and coming.
Can you imagine if your inner voice was your friend and was with you all the time and spoke aloud? I bet you wouldn’t want to spend another second with them as they would be just too annoying. Well that is what your mind is doing.
That constant commentary distracts you from the present. it steals your joy because it takes your thoughts, energy and emotions away from the NOW!
This is work we have to do in the beginning, until it becomes habitual and it is hard work. Our mind is a muscle so we have to exercise it. So start right now being present in he Now. Start with just the small stuff and try practice mindfulness and meditation in this moment.
Start with just 5 minutes and trying to stay present on whatever you are doing right now. Try give your entire attention to whatever you are doing. Feel your body movements, take in the smells, feel the textures, notice the movement. Just observe life happening right now. As soon as your mind comes up with a thought just let it pass, like a cloud.
Remember where Focus Goes Energy Flows. As soon as you give attention to a thought that is where your focus and energy goes. Emotion follows thought and that is where worry, doubt, fear etc kick in as we fret about the future and don’t enjoy the only thing we have which is….this moment.
The same goes for the past. No amount of shame, regret, hate, guilt or any other negative emotion will change the past and it will prevent us from enjoying the present moment. Right now is all you have. You can choose to make the change right now in this moment and do your best to love and enjoy it.
So just BE HERE NOW…You’ll love it!
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Here’s to your Amazing New Life!
Kenneth