During this holiday season, life can be chaotic, distracting, and overwhelming. There is much to do as we run around shopping, decorating, and visiting with friends and family. Add in the variety of difficult emotions that come up this time of year, and it’s a lot.
Lately I feel like I’m in a pinball machine. My mind shoots from one thing to the next so fast, I often can’t remember what I was thinking 15 seconds ago. Things become foggy and I start to have a difficult time focusing. Time goes by and I don’t know where it went. Does this sound familiar?
When things get crazy, our minds take over and life is pure distraction. We lose connection to our intuition and higher, true self. We lose our presence, and as a result, we lose our inner peace.
Put your mind at rest
It takes a conscious effort to learn to say “no thank you” to your mind. It is quite persistent and does not like to stop. You may feel helpless in even trying to find moments of stillness.
The past and future are nothing but memories and fantasies. They are not places to be and they don’t really exist. Our minds linger in stories of what was, what could have been, or what may be. We are rarely experiencing the now where living actually occurs.
The practice of presence is like a micro-meditation
Eyes are open and you are going about your day. There is a heightened level of awareness of all that is before you. You hear the sounds, see the people, feel the floor, notice textures, and experience the smells. You are here, now. That is all. There is nothing more you need to do.
When you are intentional about experiencing moments in the present, you will find your stillness. In stillness lies peace, clarity of thought, and focus.
This is the experience of “aaaah”. That same feeling of relief when someone turns off a noisy fan you hadn’t noticed was running until the moment it stopped.
Practicing Presence
🎁 Choose Presence ~ You must be willing to practice presence and believe it is possible. It takes practice and while your crazy mind will have you think otherwise, it is achievable even if for brief moments.
🎁 Set Alerts ~ Have an alert go off once per hour on your watch or phone. When you see that alert, get present. You don’t have to stop what your doing or even shift your gaze. Just get here now.
🎁 See People ~ Look at them. Notice their eyes and the movement of their lips. When was the last time you REALLY looked at the face of your child or partner?
🎁 Hear People ~ Listen intently. What is behind their words? Why are they talking? Are you able to stop preparing your response while they talk?
🎁 Notice The Scene ~ What is around you? Feel the air, hear the noise, see the lights.
You mean so much to the people in your life and they to you. Be with them and connect. It will be the greatest gift to you all.
