Life is tough. Perhaps you’ve noticed. Maybe reality set in recently that life isn’t always going to be sunshine and rainbows and in many moments, responsibilities or unfortunate things can and do happen. If you’re like most of us, you might even get bogged down in what we’ll call the worry. You know what were talking about. It’s the what if statements you tell yourself on an ongoing basis. So, what can you do to silence the worry and enjoy your life for what it happens to be today?
Live in the moment.
Sure, it sounds easy and some of the suggestions below even fall into the easy category. The tough part is in the doing and on a consistent basis. But once you get there, you’ll find your life becomes as rich as you want it to be.
1. Silence the tape:
You know what we’re talking about. It’s that recording in your head that reminds you of your fears. For example, I may not get that promotion at work, or What if I never meet anyone. Whatever it may be, silence it. When you start to let your fears of the future take up your mental space, you aren’t living in the here and now. Try worrying about only what you need to ¦ right now. Leave the future to the future.
2. Focus:
On the task at hand or the project you have before you. Or perhaps you’re out for a Fall hike with friends. Whatever it might be, pay attention to what you are doing in the moment you are doing it.
3. Appreciate:
You have a choice. You can either keep your head down and scurry about what you need to to get through your day. Or you can look up. And maybe enjoy your walk home and notice the changing colours of the leaves. Or maybe appreciate the crisp cool air. Look at what you have before you and learn to see the beauty in it, no matter how small it might be.
4. Give back
Sure buying a coffee for the person behind you in the drive thru line sounds like one giant cliché©. Until it happens to you and then you get it. In whatever way you can, give back. Maybe it’s to that homeless person you pretend to ignore every day. Maybe it’s just saying hello to someone who looks like they need it. Either way, giving back teaches you how to observe in the now and react in the now.
