The Gift Of The Present

Plain and simple, the present is a gift. Many people live by the belief that happiness comes from what they’ve done in the past, or what’s yet to come in their future. It’s a way for the brain to cope with uncertainty and the expectation that you can always be doing and achieving more. This way of thinking probably does lead some people to accomplish more, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re enjoying their lives any more.

Having peace of mind, feeling alive and finding whatever is important to you, are gifts that come from living in the present moment. It’s okay to slow down, enjoy your life and be an active participant in your own journey. Chasing unrealistic goals, obsessing about being the best, jealousy, greed and disregard for other people’s feelings, are things that can steal the gift of the present away from you.

The funny part about practicing mindfulness is that you have to be so in tune with yourself, that you’re mindful enough to quickly recognize when you’re not in a mindful state. Learning this skill will allow you to re-frame tough situations and intercept negative thought patterns. As you maybe just gathered, it’s not an easy daily process. It takes work and practice, but the rewards are well worth any frustration you might experience while learning to calm your mind and live in the now.

What it means to be successful, happy and at peace means something different to each person. This is where we sometimes miss the opportunity to finally find joy in our own lives. If you’re not mindful and can’t accept that it’s okay to not do what everyone else is doing, then you may wake up one day and realize: you’ve been chasing someone else’s dreams, living up to someone else’s expectations and trying to impress people who don’t have your best interest. Stay true to yourself, stay focused, stay present and create a life that brings you joy.

See more uplifting posts on my blog, thesocialbeing721.com!