“To live with presence is to elicit a deep quality of peace and joyousness”
We have all been in the situation when we get to work and we are fixated on and stressed about an issue in which we did not complete, or it may be an issue in which we don’t have the means to fix. Therefore, our minds completely focus on this one thing, and it ruins our entire day. Our mind gets cluttered, and begins to turn against us if left unchecked. Does this constant fixation or stress actually solve anything though? The answer is no. Especially, when we are required to perform a job or task that needs our full attention. Embracing the now, and being in the present moment allows for us to have a positive outlook on life, and actually get more accomplished. How to let go and embrace the now sounds simple right? However, too often we are taken out of the present moment, and let these thoughts take over without even realizing it. So here are three tips on how to embrace the now and live in the present:
Make a Reminder List
Most everyone has a wonderful thing in their pocket called a smartphone. It is a tool that can be used for many things. One of those things is having the capability to make a reminder list. If a thought comes up of a deadline or a task that needs to be done, simply pull out your phone and type it into this reminder list. What this does is allow you to know that you haven’t forgotten about this task, but you will not let it fester in your mind all day either. Thus, allowing you to live with presence in order to elicit a deep quality of peace and joyousness
Practice Mindfulness
Being mindful means being aware of your inner (thoughts) and outer (environment) world. There are many levels of mindfulness. However, the easiest one is to focus solely on your breathing. This is a quick and fantastic way to relieve the chatter in your head and bring you back to the present moment. If you begin to feel an intrusive thought take over, go somewhere quiet, and without many people if possible. Close your eyes and breathe in for four seconds, and out for four seconds. Focus on your chest or belly rising in and out. This will bring you back to the present moment, sometimes allowing you to completely forget about the thing you were so stressed about.
Another way to practice mindfulness if time and your environment allow is to take a walk. Observe the sounds you hear, and breathe in the fresh air. Look at things and say what they are in your head. This can bring you back to the present moment by giving your mind something else to process.
Be Here Now
Whenever you arrive at a destination that requires you to be present, tell yourself to “be here now”. This means to focus on where you are and live in the present. The feeling like you are not doing enough at home while you are at work, and vice versa actually stifles potential progress. Is your reaction to the thought actually helping the situation? This is an important question to answer whenever you start to drift away from the now.
