Live for the Moment
By Margaret Daley
A while ago I saw an interesting show on TV about a movement
centered on living for the moment. As I’ve learned more about it and thought of
the idea of living in the present, I like the concept. There is nothing I can
do to change the past and nothing I can do about the future. I can try to shape
what is going to happen, but how many times have you tried and something didn’t
happen like you hoped? We don’t know what is going to happen a minute from now.
So why worry about the future? Live in the moment fully, cherishing it and
savoring whatever you are doing. But also about the past. What happened is over—nothing
can change it. You can learn from it, but what happened is final.
If you want to learn more about living in the moment, you
can check this website out: http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/10-steps-to-mindfulness/.
A ten-step plan to
live in the moment. Worry and stress takes a toll on your health.
1) Do
one thing at a time. So many people try to do more than one thing and that can
add to your stress. I’m guilty of multi-tasking. Do one task well and focus
totally on it.
2) Do
it slowly and deliberately. Don’t rush it. When you hurry, your stress goes up.
Life can be a rat race—scurrying to get everything done. Slow down. Take your
time.
3) Do
less. So many of us fill our day with “stuff” to do. Decide what is important (a
priority) and do that. Let the other things go.
4) Put
space between things. Don’t cram your schedule. Give yourself enough time to
accomplish a task and have some down time or cushion time if the task goes
longer than expected.
5) Spend at least 5 minutes a day doing nothing. Sit in silence. Pray. Take deep breaths.
6) Stop
worrying about the future—focus on the present. Worrying about the future will
not change it. It will stress you instead.
7) When
you are talking to someone, focus on the person, the conversation. Listen to
what the person is saying. Don’t think about something that has happened or
might happen. Think about what is going on at that moment.
8) Eat
slowly and savor the food. I’m guilty of eating fast. This will be tough for
me. Changing what I’ve been doing all these years. It’s better for your
digestion to eat slowly.
10) Make
cleaning and cooking like mediating. Let’s face it. Those chores can be boring
tasks. Put your whole self—mind and body into them. Good way to practice
mindfulness.
I wish I had started this program years ago. It won’t be
easy because it goes against what we are usually used to doing (filling our
life with one activity after another). But keep practicing. I won’t forget one of
Rick Warren’s sayings: Don’t worry; worship.
Margaret Daley's recent book
Blurb for Deadly Noel: Kira Davis put the wrong man in prison. Now she has to catch the real killer before he kills her. Another romantic suspense story from Margaret Daley, USA Today Bestselling Author.
Assistant DA, Kira Davis, convicted the wrong man—Gabriel Michaels, a single dad with a young daughter. When new evidence was brought forth, his conviction was overturned, and Gabriel returned home to his ranch to put his life back together. Although Gabriel is free, the murderer of his wife is still out there and resumes killing women. In a desperate alliance, Kira and Gabriel join forces to find the true identity of the person terrorizing their town. Will they be able to forgive the past and find the killer before it’s too late?
Excellent post, Margaret. I especially like #8, savoring and eating food slowly.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. If only I would slow down when I do.
ReplyDelete