Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering. – Ida Scott Taylor McKinney
It’s Day 6 and we’re nearing the close of our first week on this amazing journey!
I want to start off by reiterating the Message of the Day because it was a poignant one: “Living in the present moment isn’t just good advice, it’s important to recognize that the present is the only place that living really happens. We can’t have creative and inspired thoughts if our mind is held back by guilt, regret, and pain from the past. We are not going to be open to the possibilities and beauty around us if we are anxious and fearful of the future.” Whew, let’s let that marinate…
Now a reciting of the day’s centering thought – I am present to receive the gifts of life!
One of the journal prompts today day asked us to identify three things that take us out of present-moment awareness. We were urged to list the most common things, likely because those are the ones that are recurring and most impactful to our time imbalances. I had the following to offer:
- Lack of or poor quality sleep
- Assuming responsibility for others and not allowing them the space nor opportunity to do for themselves
- Experiencing moments of anxiousness, fear or worry
To address the opposite mind-body space, I feel the most present and tuned in while I am engaged in the following activities:
- Reading captivating and thought-provoking books
- Listening to or making music
- Being in or around nature, particularly the ocean
When we’re naturally tuned in, we feel alive and aware. This present-moment awareness can ignite our creativity and allow us to fully embrace our passions and pursuits. As someone deeply engaged in meaningful work, I want to give my undivided attention to what’s in front of me and fully appreciate the positive impact my work has on those it benefits.
When I can’t connect in this way, some tasks might become unfulfilling, leading to a sense of going through the motions. To stay connected, I must remain present, aware, and plugged into the now.
We’re always looking to hear your thoughts and feedback on this meditation experience! This is the last meditation experience of 2017 hosted by Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey via the Chopra Center Meditation organization. It kicked off on October 30th and we’re really excited with the theme: Making Every Moment Matter.
