Do you ever find yourself worrying about something that might happen in the future? Do you ever find yourself going over a past experience and you just couldn’t get it out of your mind? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you are not living in the present moment. The present moment is the only moment we ever have. You cannot live in the future or the past. But you can waste your present moments being stuck in thoughts about the future or the past.
The power of the present moment is that it releases your mind from worry and stress. Therefore, it shuts down the stress response in your body. If you just focus on the present moment, you will induce a relaxation response. Then you will unlock the openness and creativity of your mind.
If you want to live in the present moment, then you must be accepting of what is right now. You don’t have to like what is happening now, but you must accept it. Often times people find much pain in their present moments and they try to escape through numbing with alcohol, drugs, food, and other things that eventually lead to an addiction.
Breathing is a great way to root yourself in the present moment. First, put your mind in your body and on your breathing. Then, breathe deeply and slowly into your abdomen. Focus your mind on your breathing and nothing else. If you find your mind wandering, just accept the reality and return your focus back to your breathing. If you find it difficult, you can count your breath cycles. For example, inhale, exhale, 1. Inhale, exhale, 2. Inhale, exhale, 3. Continue to count your breath cycles for five minutes or longer.
Be open to the things in your present moment without judging them, even if they make you uncomfortable. When we judge things in our present moment as good or bad, we place restrictions on our experiences. Then, we may begin to allow our fears and emotions to take over our present moments. Living in the present moment may not be easy, but it is worth the effort and the power it brings to your life.
