I've spent just enough time living in the present to know that Deepak Chopra speaks the truth when he says:
Life gives you plenty of time to do whatever you want to do
if you stay in the present moment.
But knowing something and doing it are not the same, are they? My motivation for improving this skill is that life is short and getting shorter every day. I want to stop wasting time in meaningless activity -- or thinking and acting in ways that aren't positive or helpful. Perfect? No, just making more progress than I am at the moment.
This ever happen to you?
I'm sitting at my computer, all revved up and ready to dive into something that matters. I get started, but before I know it I've darted over to the browser to check a fact or to take just a sec to see how many Like's last night's post has received. You know, just a minute and I'll get right back on it. But somehow in the blink of an eye I'm reading the news, or watching a (really short) video, or checking my email to see if anything urgent has come in.
Living in the present is difficult, but the more I have the experience, the easier it gets. So here are some easy tricks you can use to practice spending time in this moment.
- Write more slowly. It doesn't matter if it's a grocery list or an envelope. A while ago I noticed that my handwriting was starting to look like an old lady's, so I tried this technique. The only way to make it work is to clear your mind so that you are aware of each letter as you write it.
In the moments when we're present, our fears disappear, and we know without a doubt who we are -- and what we care about most. From this list of tricks choose just one you like and do it. Please give yourself this gift as often as you can.
Being fully present in every moment is the greatest meditation I have found. It's a prayer of praise to appreciate the now -- and the best way I know
to create a sense of well-being.-- Oprah Winfrey, May 2015
I invite you to share your experiences with living in the present. Either leave a comment on this page or contact me directly jinny@bestyearyet.com.
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- Get Your Best Year Yet! -- there's a free workbook in the back of the book.
- Answer the questions online at bestyearyet.com.