Finding Strength in Stillness

Shreya Sehgal
Change Your Mind Change Your Life
3 min readSep 17, 2023
Photo by Melissa Askew on Unsplash

In our daily lives, it’s too easy for our minds to wander. We find ourselves drifting from the anxieties of an uncertain future to the regrets of a past we can’t change. In this mental turbulence, we often forget the importance of the present moment. It’s a moment where we don’t need to have all the answers or make sense of everything in our lives. It’s a moment where we can simply be.

The Constant Tug of the Past and Future

Our minds are like a pendulum, swinging back and forth between two powerful forces: the past and the future. On one side, the past holds our memories, both sweet and bitter. It's where we store our triumphs and our regrets. On the other side, the future looms, uncertain and often intimidating. It's where our hopes and fears reside, where we envision the life we want to lead.

Caught in this pendulum’s relentless swing, we often forget to rest in the present moment. We become entangled in the worries of tomorrow and the burdens of yesterday. All while the current moment slips through our fingers like grains of sand.

The Power of Stillness

In this constant mental motion, stillness emerges as a powerful antidote. It’s a reminder that in the present moment, we don’t need to have everything figured out. We don’t need to unravel the complexities of our past or anticipate every twist and turn of the future. Instead, we can pause, take a deep breath, and simply be where we are.

Embracing the Now

At this very moment, you are enough. You are gathering the strength you need for what lies ahead. It might not feel like it, especially when the weight of your worries and regrets bears down on you, but trust that life has a way of preparing you for the challenges that await.

The Power of Breath

One of the most accessible ways to connect with the present moment is through your breath. When you feel the rush of past regrets or the pull of future fears, pause and take a deep breath. Feel the air entering your lungs, notice the rise and fall of your chest, and be present with each breath.

In these moments of conscious breathing, you anchor yourself in the here and now. You distance yourself from the cacophony of your thoughts and reconnect with the stillness that resides within you. It's a simple yet profound practice that can help you find strength and clarity amidst life's chaos.

Final thoughts

In the dance between the past and the future, don’t forget the beauty and power of the present moment. You don’t have to have all the answers right here, right now. Instead, let stillness remind you that you are gathering the strength you need to navigate the challenges that await. Embrace the now, breathe deep, and find solace in the simplicity of being. At the end of the day, this is what matters.

Life lies in the present.

So smile. ☺

--

--

Shreya Sehgal
Change Your Mind Change Your Life

Imagine a college girl, coffee in hand, navigating self-discovery and growth while sharing relatable anecdotes of youthful exploration.