Have you ever noticed that when you are truly able to stay present and in the moment it feels almost like time stands still? At that moment (or hopefully moments) it’s as though anything is possible as all worries and concerns seem to leave you.
This state of mind can be experienced at any time that you allow yourself to become completely focussed. For some this may be from being fully absorbed in a task that brings them satisfaction, others it may come about when they become deeply in touch with nature and of course for others, they may be able to reach this sought after state by practicing meditation or contemplation.
It may be all well and good knowing this, yet how often would you check in to see where you are actually sitting on the barometer of being present??
A good way to do this can be by checking in on your thoughts. There is a school of thought that suggests when we are experiencing ‘heavy’ emotions such as disappointment, resentment, regret and alike we are often thinking about the past…what we ‘should’ have done, didn’t do, wish we had done differently. Whereas when we feel a sense of disempowerment, worry, concern, anxiety or similar we are in fact projecting forward into the future imagining the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ in an attempt to pre-empt the situations.
What I know to be true is that there is no rewind button that allows us to go back in time and redo things, nor is there a fast forward button that can protect us from every eventuality. What we do have is the ability to push pause whilst we check in with our thoughts and feelings in order to find ways that bring us back into the present. A spot where we can think more clearly, are more imaginative with solutions, feel a level of calmness and hence land at a place that is way more empowering.
A tool we find useful when working with our clients is the Past, Present, Future model. It provides a framework for assessing a person’s state of mind and emotions in order to understand where their attention is directed. By using this practice it’s possible to channel focus back into the present moment. Doing so enables a person to experience the benefits of improved balance as well as increased energy – all combining to create a true sense of harmony.
In the words of the Buddha; “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn the past, not to worry about the future or anticipate troubles, but to live wisely and earnestly for the present”
To help you stay present I have included a 15-minute guided meditation below;
