WHY LIVING IN THE PRESENT IS THE GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE YOURSELF
By Ceri McVittie
Many clients come to me for coaching because they feel stuck in a rut and want to change their lives. Doing some inner work is the first step to change and I always encourage clients to practice being more present and understanding what their feelings and emotions are in the here and now. So much of what stops us from making change in life is fear. Fear does not exist in the present, fear exists only in the past or future. We create fear by worrying or becoming anxious of what might be in the future or by ruminating on the past and listening to pesky voices in our heads, repeat negative stories that we have been conditioned to think about ourselves over the years.
Being present breaks through fear as it enables you to look at and process what is really going on in your mind and body right now. Once you are able to understand this then fears start to dissolve and we reach a place where everything is possible. Being fully present allows us to truly see and appreciate the beauty around us – it really is the best gift to yourself.
Here are 10 ways of being more present:
1. Realise that you are Normal
Spending time in the past and future in our heads isn’t unusual. Listening to negative inner voices is a universal truth. Everyone does it, so you are normal. Some people have just found ways to process and or silence these voices and have gained peace of mind and are able to live more in the moment.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice
It takes effort to be present and requires conscious thought and awareness. You will undoubtedly go back and forth – reflecting upon the past and worrying about the future, but be conscious of this and be aware of what your mind is doing. When you notice yourself caught in a trap, take a breath and return your thoughts to the present. The more you do this (and it takes a lot of practice) the more this will become your natural state.
3. Do Something You Love
When you do something you love and enjoy you will find you are very present. It could be horse riding, painting or playing football. Next time you’re doing something with your heart and soul, you’ll notice how much you are naturally in the moment.
4. Meditate
Meditation is one of the best practices you can do to develop your skills of becoming more present. You will learn techniques on how to slow down, focus on your breath and how to still your mind. Zen is all about being mindful and living in the here and now. For private Zen Meditation & Mindfulness sessions with the founder of On Cloud Zen, e-mail sarah@oncloudzen.com
5. Pay Attention
When you do something focus on that task and that task alone. Pay attention and concentrate on what you are doing and you will not only be more present you will probably accomplish your task quicker.
6. Do Less
Nowadays with so much social media and the fast paced lifestyles we lead we are normally multi-tasking and doing a million and one things. We are probably never accomplishing anything fully and are creating more stress for ourselves. Our relationships can also suffer as a result – if for instance, we are sharing a meal with our loved one yet on the phone half the time, it erodes intimacy and a sense of close connection. Often less is more rewarding.
7. Be in your Body
Our bodies rarely lie and are a great source of truth. What fools us is our mind and this is where we lose presence. Yoga is specifically good for allowing you to become more aware of your physical body and your breath, so that you can diminish your monkey mind enabling you to become more present.
8. Stay with Emotions
So often we don’t stop and really feel what we are going through. Be with your emotions, if you are feeling frustrated for example take time in the moment to find out what is going on for you and really be with that emotion. The emotion will pass but there is so much to learn about yourself from fully experiencing it rather than avoiding it or burying your head in the sand.
9. Listen Carefully
Really listening takes effort and requires you to be present. Many of us listen to another person just long enough so we can think of the next thing to say. If you listen to someone intently you will find yourself more present and then we understand someone on a much deeper level, allowing us to form a more satisfying bond.
10. Choose Your Thoughts
Problems are illusions of the mind and live in the past and present. You can choose not to go there and be more present. Being in the moment and choosing positive thoughts will open your world up to so much more exciting opportunities and possibilities.
Ceri McVittie is a Certified Life Coach. To book an appointment with her go to www.yourabsolutelife.com
