The Best...Present

How often do we get "worked up" over what might happen? If you're like me (and most people) and you are honest, the answer is probably just about every day. What a total waste of time. I love Matthew 6:34 in the Message Translation: “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” We spend more time worrying about the future or regretting and rehashing the past than we do living in the present moment. We tend to fly through our days on autopilot, not being truly present and aware. The crazy thing is the only thing we really have is this present moment and we waste more of them than we appreciate and live to the fullest. I heard one person say tomorrow is in the womb and yesterday is in the tomb – how true!

We over-schedule each day so from dawn to dusk, running around trying to “get it all done.” (As if that were even possible!) We do things "mindlessly" rather than "mindfully." You know what I mean. You can sit down with a bag of cookies and before you even realize what has happened, you've inhaled half the bag and barely even tasted one of them. The most precious resource God has gifted us with is time. We value other things so much more highly and waste this most valuable commodity. We only have a limited amount of time and energy. Living each moment of each day to the fullest is a way of thanking God and appreciating His grace and generosity.

Broken down to the most basic component – your life is simply a series of moments. Each one is precious. Some may be more exciting or memorable than others, but each one is important and brings you to the next…and the next. Each is a gift, a present, crafted specifically for you and comes directly from the hand of God! If some famous person gave you a valuable gift of some kind, you’d protect, admire and appreciate it constantly. How much more should we do that with today’s moments?

Studies have shown that mindfulness can provide the following benefits:

Reduce anxiety;
Decrease stress hormones;
Boost the immune system;
Help you change negative habits;
Combat pain;
Deal with depression; and
Increase the benefits of exercise.

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. How do we learn to live mindfully? We can begin by obeying Jesus' words in the scripture quoted above and make a conscious decision to really live each day being fully present.

Here are some practical steps:

Every time you begin worrying about some future event or stressing over a past mistake or failure, make a conscious effort to stop and pull yourself back into the present. Don’t visit the tomb and there’s no point going into the womb! It will take some effort – we are so used to allowing our minds to wander. Don’t get discouraged. Just keep at it and soon it will become your new way of being.

Really look at the person speaking to you, listen carefully, observe their facial expressions and body language. Give them your undivided attention – which is exactly what mindfulness truly is!

Periodically focus on your breathing throughout the day - the rhythm of it, the way your lungs fill and empty. Pay attention to what is going on around you. How does the sun feel on your back? Look - really look - at a flower. Take time to really enjoy your food - the way it looks, how it smells, really taste and savor it - slowly. Enjoy the feeling of your muscles moving and stretching as you walk or exercise.

Appreciate these gifts we are blessed to get every day of our lives! Learn to give this present day your undivided attention and live in the moment. It is called "the present" and it really is the best one!!

Take a Step:

Make the decision be aware of the moments of your day today. Just begin with today. (It’s all you have anyway!) Don’t think about tomorrow or next week and definitely don’t waste time wishing you’d done something differently. It is what it is – and you have been given the gift of this day, 24 hours, 1,440 minutes. Pay attention to each one and I guarantee, all your tomorrows will take care of themselves!

Until next time, I wish you vibrant health! Ann