”There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.” Dalai Lama
This past weekend, I was sitting on a restaurant porch with my boyfriend drinking a margarita and eating some chips and salsa. It was a lovely day, the sun was shining, we were getting things done and spending time together. Having my partner of 5 years back home has been incredible and I feel so lucky to be spending time with him knowing that I don’t have to say goodbye on Sundays to fly or drive back home.
As we were sitting on the patio, I started to drift off to future plans and how much fun we will have on our next trip and in all the other places we will live together. I looked around at the stores that we have shopped and thought about future shopping trips. I thought about things we need to buy for our trip to Europe and what we need to get done at home. Then a thought occurred to me, I should be present RIGHT NOW! I have been looking forward to him being home and the sun shining for the past 6 months. What was I doing thinking about anything other than how wonderful right now was? The moment I was in was exactly perfect as it was! How silly of me to be thinking about other patios and other margaritas when we were having such a fun day THIS day.
As someone who is very goal oriented and future focused I naturally find my mind wandering to prospective plans. I enjoy planning things but I would also like to work on staying present more often than not. When you live in the present moment you prevent yourself from worry and anxieties about the future or sorrows and regrets about the past. Here are some questions that help me stay in the moment. Try them out right now!
What are 5 things I see/feel/hear right now? (5 of EACH! So 15 things total. If you want to go for bonus rounds, you can count down, 5 things you see/feel/hear, 4 things you see/hear/feel,3, 2, 1. They can be different or the same things in the other rounds. Tuning into your senses helps you notice what is happening right now)
What are 5 things I am grateful for in this moment? (Find gratitude in what is)
Take 5 deep breaths and use some gentle self talk. “Be here now.”
Penny is really great at being present. Pets are a wonderful reminder to enjoy what is.
