by Carla C. Hugo
What’s next? Did I remember everything I needed
as I race to the car? Which calls should I return on the
way? Did I forget to defrost dinner? What time
do I have to meet up with the contractor back at home?
WHOOSH – Our minds take us on a wild ride. Thoughts
are rushing like an ocean wave. We have a sense that we
could have done something better or should have done something
differently. Multi-tasking can bring us energy, but at
a high cost. Our body’s system is stressed and adrenaline
production increases. Adrenaline creates a feeling of energy,
but it is not a healthful source of energy. Making a shift
from multi-tasking to being consciously present in the moment
you are experiencing can be life changing. You will create
healthy energy in the present moment without compromising your
body’s chemistry. If you sense you are ready
to step off the wild ride and onto your own personal path
that feels perfect for you, start now!
Breathe deeply and notice where you are physically. Observe
your surroundings. Notice the people, sounds, animals,
and objects around you. Pay attention to how you
are feeling. Orient yourself to your NOW. Bring
your mind to this moment by engaging your physical senses and
your inner awareness. As you do, notice your improved
clarity and focus and a feeling of fresh energy.
Feeling refreshed, notice the sense of peace that envelops
you as you place your attention in the present and relinquished
thoughts of “should haves” or “could haves.” A
way to deliberately create an experience of being present almost
instantly is in being with a child. Whether you are a parent,
grandparent, aunt, uncle or neighbor to a child, decide to engage
in an activity. It may be active listening, a chance to
create together, or to be in nature. The act of being present
is magnified in the presence of a child. Children largely
experience life in the moment. Joining in on that energy
and choosing to be present yourself will speed your own personal
evolution. Creating an opportunity to be who you want to
be helps you to have more of that wonderful feeling in your future. Try
other ways to create present moment opportunities.
Putting an end to multi-tasking and choosing to put your attention
to the present are two steps toward personal peace and well-being. The
next part is making a choice to accept yourself and your situation
for now. Accepting that you are where you are meant to be right
now, allows you to tap into your own source of well-being. Personal
peace is an active choice to be in a place of acceptance. Your
moment in time right now may be joyous or it may be pain filled. If
you are in pain, notice it as a challenge through which you will
experience much personal growth. Be assured that even in
pain you can achieve well-being. Your present moment awareness
to the pain as perfect can awaken you to the growth opportunity
that will follow. Open yourself to discovering the value
of the pain, and to your desire to know what is in store for
you. Rather than dwell in the discomfort of pain, and ask, “Why
me?” and sink deeper into sorrow, let your heart open. Release
your resistance and reach across the gap from pain to growth. Be
open to the new experience that lies before you on the other
side of pain. If your present experience is joy-filled,
express gratitude for all that you have and intend to have
more of the same in your future.
