We hear it all the time: “Live in the moment!” and “Be here, now!” But, what does it mean? And, aren’t we in the now, well, right now? [gap height=”15″]
Yes and no. You may be physically present, but it’s completely possible to be mentally or emotionally absent. For instance, say you’ve had a rough morning and know you have a long meeting you need to prepare for later in the day. You might be physically sitting at your desk, but your mind is replaying the spilled coffee and traffic you sat in earlier, as well as going over your to-do list or frantically planning for later. [gap height=”15″]
In his best-selling book, “The Power of Now,” Eckhart Tolle, a spiritual teacher, explores the idea that we can transform our thinking to experience greater joy and more of our lives. Tolle’s teachings are not aligned with a specific religion, but his thoughts and ideas are shared by millions worldwide. Why are his book and others like it so popular? Humankind has realized that everything from the things we say to the things we think impacts our daily lives. When the mind takes over, it can seem challenging to change the direction of our thoughts; but we have the power. Let’s look at two ways you can focus on the power of living in the now![gap height=”15″][gap height=”15″]
Be Where You Are[gap height=”15″]
We are called human “beings” and not human “doings” for a reason. Taking time to simply “be” can dramatically improve your life. Though our fast-paced world, demanding jobs, and busy lives seem to be constantly forcing us to go-go-go, learning to focus on what you are doing at an exact moment can improve your happiness. “Be” present in the moment. Focus on what your employees, friends and family are saying when you spend time with them instead of going over your to-do list or planning your next move. [gap height=”15″]
A perfect time to test your skills is when you’re doing something tedious. It can be easy to daydream during an activity you feel is boring or that you dislike. Instead of focusing on your disdain for something, it can be helpful to pay attention to each step of the process. When your mind starts to wander, stop and remind yourself that where you are now is where you are supposed to be. Sometimes, to make things happen, we have to do things that aren’t considered fun. Your business is also affected by your ability to realize this, so be where you are.[gap height=”15″][gap height=”15″]
Free Your Mind …[gap height=”15″]
“… and the rest will follow” are not simply lyrics to an En Vogue song. Our minds control our thoughts, actions and feelings and can take over. In yoga practice, the mind is often referred to as a “monkey mind” – swinging from one thought to the next and stirring up chaos inside us. The mind is so powerful, it can convince us to believe nearly anything we want to! [gap height=”15″]
How do you set it free? By focusing your attention and energy on something – and when your attentiveness begins to fade, refocusing on said thing can help quiet your mind. An excellent example of this is focusing on your breath. A deep-breathing practice can be done anywhere, anytime. Breathe in and out deeply through the nose a few times, and notice as your body and mind begin to calm. Taking a moment or two to clear your mind can enable you to work better with others and feel more satisfied with your daily life. [gap height=”15″]
Lastly, keep practicing. The practice of living in the moment and focusing on gratitude can completely change your life and allow you to experience joy more often. Ready for your homework? Concentrate on being present this month, notice the power of living in the now and watch as your work and home life improve.[gap height=”15″]
Notice the power of living in the now and watch as your work and home life improve.[gap height=”15″]
