Finding Joy in Being Present

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” – Buddha

We live in a world of multitasking. At work–and at home–we juggle roles, schedules, and tasks. We stress out about the future and fret over the past. But is all this preventing us from being mindful in more of our present moments, and in turn, seeing time passing us by faster than we’d like?

It doesn’t have to, and while it would be an impossible task to be 100% present 100% of the time, there are ways we can increase the times we are present. Here are a few tips:

• Breathe. Close your eyes and take a deep breath in and out through your nose. Slowly releasing the breath through your nose incites a relaxation response.
• Immerse yourself wholeheartedly. Stop multitasking when possible. Focus as much attention as possible on what you are doing in that very moment.
• Accept what you cannot change. It’s easier said than done, yes. This is why it’s apractice: recognize aspects of life that you cannot control and accept them for what they are. Avoid spending time worrying about events you cannot change.

Being more present more of the time fuels productivity, a sense of fulfillment, and creativity. Make presence your practice.


Love!