How To Stop Denying Yourself of Your Gift by Being Present
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present. — Alice Morse Earle
We all worry about everything, most especially the uncertain ones meaning the future.
I wouldn’t say if it has been like that right from time, but I can say worry is a norm in this modern era.
No one has ever solved any problem by worrying, and yet I do it, you do it, we all do it.
I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened. — Mark Twain
We worry about the past, we worry about the present, and we worry about the future. Only to come out with no solution to them.
Spending your time worrying is very frustrating, and drains both your time and energy.
The trouble with worry is that it is a complete and total waste of our valuable time and energy. We all know that on a logical level, and yet we still worry.
We desire this, we could have done better in the past, we want to make sure we get this right in the future.
Whatever it is we want or desire, we tend to use worry as a means to see if we can get it but in the end, we never get it.
The only reality is now
knowing that our past experiences are part of the story we tell ourselves. Filtered through our own lenses, expectations, and system of belief.
While the future is an illusion created by our imagination because it hasn’t happened yet.
That is valid for all of us, including you. Your future starts now, and your only reality is the fact that, at this very moment, you are reading this post.
Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry all forms of fear are caused by too much future and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of non-forgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence. — Eckhart Tolle
Addiction is what happens when we lack the ability to control our desires. so, it is too with worry. We tend to use worry to ease or numb the pain of whatever it is we are going through or thinking about for the future.
To free ourselves of pain, we must let go of our desire to control the future.
When you know everything we do on earth is uncertain, we will give up worrying.
Nothing is certain only death.
We need to start being present, and the future will take care of itself. Does that mean you shouldn’t plan for the future? No. Plan but don’t put all your energy planning for the future, when you can’t live in the present.
Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now says Alan Lakein.
If you can’t live in the present, there is no need for planning for the future.
The whole future lies in uncertainty, live immediately says, Seneca.
I used to think a lot about what the future holds for me to the point that I can’t even appreciate any good I have achieved in the present. It is always about the future.
Only when I started appreciating the present do I tend to worry less about the future.
The future, our future is uncertain. Why worry about uncertainty when you have now to live for.
“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.” — The Dalai Lama
One of the things worry does is that it makes situations big in our head that in the real sense it is never as big as it seems.
When I was young, my mum had Alzheimer’s disease. I thought she was gonna die but guess what, she is healthy and vibrant as nature.
In our heads, the situation seems far worse. We can’t cope with those imagined traumas of future and that’s because the future rarely materializes itself as we would expect says Adrian Drew.
Practice Mindfulness
Since worrying about the future pulls us into the future. Nothing busts worry faster than some good old fashion present moment mindfulness.
Take a look around and notice what is surrounding you. What do you see? What do you feel? What do you taste? What do you hear? What do you smell?
Taking note of your surroundings by using your senses is an awesome way to pull yourself into the present moment where future related worry cannot bother you.
All negative emotions arise when we lose touch with the present moment.
If you don’t start appreciating the present, all you get is to worry over the uncertain which is the future.
Worry only brings out the negative part of everything. Never the good part.
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” — Leo F. Buscaglia
Our emotional unrest usually arises from our disconnectedness from the present.
Change Your Attitude About Obstacles.
Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition such as lifting weights we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity. Stephen Covey
We have complete control over how we perceive an obstacle. Do we see it as an opportunity for growth and learning, or do we see it as a barrier and potential disaster?
The opportunity is always within the obstacle.
Take Back Control
What do you have control over? What can you fix? What can you do to prevent whatever you are worrying about from happening? For many of us, worry creates a feeling of being out of control and not safe.
Doing things that are within our control helps us to regain those feelings of control and safety.
Remember when you lose touch with reality, there is unrest within you.
LIVE NOW THE PRESENT. The future is uncertain.
