There’s a famous quote from Mark Twain, along the lines that it is not the things we did that we will regret at the end of our lives, but rather the things that we didn’t do. For whatever reason, the vision gets sidetracked. What stops us from making our dreams…
We could also call it ‘worry’. If we’re worrying about the future, or reliving and fretting about the past, we cannot be living in the only time we have in which to live – NOW. If we’re living in the present we can for example, fully enjoy our meal, our home, nature, being with and listening to our companions or children etc. If we’re thinking about other things such as our work or problems when we are with others or eating a meal for example, then that’s where our energy is. If we are going to end stress, stop worrying and live life to the full we have to find a way to be fully present. We need to be the key character in our own lives. We need to be completely aware of everything we do.
While we are fully listening, or totally focused on an activity or project, we cannot be thinking. Here are a few exercises to get you started.