Feel Happy Every Day by Living in the Moment
By Harriet Meyerson
Many people are so concerned with adding days to their life that they
forget to add life to their days.
If you have ever found yourself at home thinking about what you need to
do at work, or at work thinking about things happening in your personal
life, you know how distracting it is. Living in the moment means you are
totally immersed in an experience.
The past is history.
The future is a mystery.
The only time we really have is now - just this moment.
MAGICAL MOMENTS
Think back on the events in your life that you vividly remember. Those are
the events where you were living in the moment. Even though years have
passed, you can still remember the details.
OUR WEDDING DAY
Over thirty-six years have passed since my wedding day, and I can still
picture myself as a young bride dressed in a beautiful white gown. I can
still hear our "special song" and feel the immense joy I felt
then as I walked down the aisle toward my soon-to-be husband.
THE DAY I CONQUERED THE MOUNTAIN
I vividly remember my first ski trip when, after taking my first chairlift
ride up the mountain, I didn't know how I would ever get down. I was
terrified! As I slowly skied down the slope with my instructor, I was so
frightened I was shaking, but I was also experiencing the thrill of the
moment. I will always remember the incredible feeling I experienced as I
finally reached the bottom - conquering my first ski slope.
EVERY DAY MOMENTS
Living in the moment is easy during special times in your life. However,
most days don't contain special events, and unless you learn to live in
the moment, worry, fear, resentments or other distractions will rob you of
your life.
Wayne Dyer in his many books talks about the compulsion some people
have of always wanting more before they can be happy - more money, a
better house, a fancier car, a better spouse, etc. Those people never get
to a place of arriving - or enjoying the moment.
AS GOOD AS IT GETS…
Steve Strauss, a professional speaker and personal coach at www.strausUSA.com
suggests that you ask yourself … "What if this is as good as it
gets?"
Steve said, "While driving down a quiet country highway, in the
clear winter sunlight, that question popped into my mind. My first
reaction was to see that I had spent a huge part of my life fantasizing
about the future, when things would get "better".
"When I let go of requiring that the future be any certain way -
Poof! Suddenly I became content with what I had now."
"That was a shock because I had always assumed a better future,
which implies that there is something wrong with now. To realize that
right now is great has been tremendously freeing. It has led to gratitude
and a surge of energy and strength."
ACTIVITIES TO PRACTICE LIVING IN THE MOMENT
Living in the moment takes practice because you are used to being
distracted. Make a special effort to consciously practice being totally
immersed in what you are doing for some time every day. Here are some
ideas to get you started.
TAKE A BUBBLE BATH
Play some soft music. Relax and feel the warmth of the water. Just think
of how you are enjoying the moment.
DRIVE A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO WORK
Get off the highway, and take the city streets to work. As you drive,
notice the trees and houses as you pass through different neighborhoods.
Going a different way will also help you concentrate on your surroundings.
EAT A GOURMET MEAL AT A FANCY RESTAURANT
Set aside money for your special dinner so that you won't feel guilty
about spending the money. You will experience living in the moment as you
enjoy the total experience of the atmosphere, the service, the people you
are with, and the delicious food.
PLAY A SPORT SUCH AS TENNIS
You have to concentrate and be aware of everything that is happening at
the moment. There isn't time to lament over the last shot because another
one is coming right back at you.
DANCE TO YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC
You will become immersed in the music as your body moves to it, and you
will begin to feel vibrant and alive.
PLAY CARD GAMES
When you play games such as bridge or poker, you have to concentrate or
you risk losing the game.
ENJOY A CREATIVE HOBBY
Painting, woodwork, or crafts will absorb all your attention as you focus
on your creation.
TAKE A VACATION
Vacations are rejuvenating and energizing because you are physically away
from the day-to-day cares of living and totally immersed in sight seeing
or other vacation activities.
LOOK AT THE FUNNY SIDE OF LIFE
Notice how people who are always preoccupied with worry, resentment or
other things don't usually have a sense of humor. Having a sense of humor
requires living in the moment because you have to look all around for the
funny things that are happening.
KEEP A JOURNAL
At the end of each day, write about the moments when you were totally
present. Every week review your journal. Doing this, will encourage you to
concentrate on what you are doing. Eventually, living in the moment will
become a habit that will add happiness, enthusiasm, and vitality to your
days.
About the author: Harriet Meyerson, president of The
Confidence Center, works with companies that want confident, loyal, and
happy employees, and with individuals who want the confidence they need
for success. Harriet is a member of the National Speakers Association and
the author of Fire Up Your Staff on a Shoestring Budget.
Visit the Confidence Center web site for - Free employee
morale newsletter. Free articles on employee success and personal
confidence. Free articles for your company or association newsletters.
Seminar, and telephone coaching information. Free daily fun stuff. http://www.ConfidenceCenter.com
E-mail: Harriet@ConfidenceCenter.com
| An error occurred on the server when processing the URL. Please contact the system administrator. If you are the system administrator please click here to find out more about this error. | | | | 
