"If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are
headed."
Chinese
Proverb
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Consider This...
"The art of resting the mind and the power of dismissing from it all care and worry is probably one of the secrets of our great men."
Captain J. A. Hatfield
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The Strength of Optimism Believe you are a powerful force in your future, and act accordingly!
"Time is a companion that
goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will
never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have
lived."
Captain Jean-Luc-Picard in the
film, Star Trek: Generations
It's a crazy and hectic world in which we live! Time often rules over us
like a malevolent dictator; we watch the clock, we try to beat the clock and, of
course, we often lose to the clock. We live by calendars, appointment books,
computers and palm pilots. Life seems sometimes more about putting out fires
than anything else. We often reside in an environment of rigid expectations and
“shoulds,” dictated by others and by ourselves. In our inner world, we shift
from past pain to present distress to future trepidation.
The notion of focusing on the moment may sound like a preposterous
recommendation in this hurried existence. The way things are arranged, we’re
generally not encouraged to behold and smell the proverbial roses. In fact, if
we were so encouraged, a lot of us would be clueless as to how to go about such
a foreign endeavor. But take heart, it’s not as difficult as you might think to
make changes – and the rewards are bountiful!
Learning to live in the moment is a potent tool in your repertoire of
effective living skills. Changing your focus to the present offers an array of
gifts because the present is such a special place to be. It’s where robust and
satisfying relationships are nourished and where better communication and active
listening take place.
The present is where happiness can be found and where laughter, play and
excitement flourish. It’s where we find out who we are, what we think and what
we want. It’s where creativity takes place and performance excellence manifests
itself.
The present is where adversities and challenges – faced head on – teach us
strength and mastery. It’s where we discover that we can be subjected to pain
and suffering, and yet endure, even thrive. It’s where persistence and
intelligent decision-making become the norm and where problems are solved,
learning takes place and memory is enhanced. It’s where we can have sensory
experiences of a thousand kinds. It’s where we have the power to promote
physical and mental well-being, even when the body and mind have been plagued by
illness. It’s where we engender hope and aspire to fulfill dreams for the
future.
Living in the present is a choice. We get to choose where our attention is
directed – the past, the present or the future, and we get to decide what we
tune into on those channels. We have all the wiring we need to direct the focus
of our attention.
My theory is that when deciding where one’s attention should go, a 10-80-10
split is a healthy guideline: 10 percent on the past, 80 percent on the present,
and 10 percent on the future. You also get to choose what you focus on in those
domains. And the choice of focus is critical to how well this time is used. For
example, when thinking about the past, you can choose to focus either on
negative meanderings that depress you or on uplifting memories that bring
inspiration and warmth. This seems to be a no-brainer to me!
A sure way to learn to live in the present is to believe the following:
It is only in the present moment that you can discern what is really
happening
The moment is to be appreciated, not judged
You have a choice about where your attention is directed
You do not have to be a slave to past, present or future negative thoughts
The power belongs to you
It is important to have compassion for yourself and others
You do not have to believe what your thoughts tell you or react to them
If you’d like more in-depth information on how to Live in the
Present, Click Here.
If you’d like to discover your own Positive Path, one that can lead to a life of fulfillment and ultimate personal power, contact Sharon Esonis at (760) 221-8032, or send an email to thepositivepath@cox.net.
This article may be reprinted for use in newsletters and websites provided that the signature box is kept intact and permission is requested from the author. Email request to: thepositivepath@cox.net.
