Dare to... Enjoy The Moment

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Buddha


It's not unusual that our lifestyles today have us running at frenetic speeds.  For the hustle and bustle of modern life leaves many people forgetting to enjoy the moment, not understanding that each and every second is filled with wonder and possibilities... wonderful moments that could be savored, are blurred out. While we can't change the things whizzing past us, we can stop ourselves from being swept away by it all. The key... press the pause button, focus on the present... moment by moment. Living in the moment is all about living like there's no tomorrow.

•  Pause now and be still and silent within yourself.  Enjoy this time with the words you read. You are being offered an opportunity to remember to enjoy it just as it is and just as you are... right now.
• Give thanks for the people, places and things, for the experiences they bring... even in the little things. Dare to be thankful for making it through rush hour traffic safely, watching the sunset, places you have visited. Create opportunities to give thanks. You may know someone who never seems happy? Be ready with a smile and a kind word each time you see them. It may require patience, but eventually, they'll smile first when they see you.  You will then find that your interactions with them will be much more pleasant. And guess what... you'll have a new reason to be thankful.
• Acknowledge a moment being offered, it amplifies the moment for everyone. Consciously connect with it and appreciate it.  Let others know when they've done something that you're thankful for. For example, let the power of the moment rejuvenate others... let your daughter that your shopping excursion with her was a pleasure or let your friend know that the email she sent to you really made your day.  Acknowledge and celebrate not only the power the moment gives you, but the one who reminded you it was there for you.

So pause, give thanks and acknowledge the moment. The beauty of enjoying the moment is in the stillness of your mind... slow down.  You can't fast forward or freeze frame moments you want to enjoy... they are all absorbing.  Dare to pause now and be still within.  Realize the beauty in every moment, and in everyday activities too. It’s a conscious act that requires your participation... not just your observation.  Remember that the reward is a richer, fuller life. This is your life, so live it now and dare to... enjoy the moment.

Click here to read more articles from my Dare to... series.
 

Dare to... Count Your Blessings

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." ~ Eric Hoffer

To completely count all of your blessings that life affords you each and every day would be hard. There's just no way to do that.  But sometimes we are so busy that we forget to pay attention to the blessings that are present in our lives.  And there is no excuse for that. At least a few times a week, you need to remind yourself of your blessings, or you will forget they are there.  Most people have a daily 'to do' list filled with things they need to do for the day; problems that needed to be solved. So many problems that they never get around to counting their blessings. 

How about this. Your car won't start  You spill your coffee on your new skirt. You wanted to throw in the towel, drive home and crawl back in bed. You may be fed up to here. You may say that you have had enough. Every single thing that could go wrong seemingly did.  And that fed-uppedness spilled over into your whole day.  It all starts with one bad event and then it seems  to start a chain reaction...or so you think. 

You can turn things around. Realize that when you let that first unfortunate event push you over the edge your life has a tendency to spiral out of control.  Instead of just laughing about it and chalking it up to just another day in paradise, your day takes a turn for the worst and no amount of resuscitation can salvage it.  Its all about awareness, pausing and being attentive to all the ways you have been blessed. Use the three easy ways below to count your blessings.

The Inner Path: Living Gratitude Out Loud

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is
not to utter words, but to live by them." JFK

Don't ever take the good you already have in your life for granted... some people tend to do just that. Really, just imagine losing some of the things that you consider comfort... home, car, job, your ability to see, hear, or walk. Then imagine one day, getting each of them back, one by one.  I can just imagine how grateful you'd be for each and every one. Now you know the feeling... well that's gratitude:

• being thankful
• counting your blessings 
• acknowledging everything that you receive
• living everyday as if everything were a miracle
• being aware of how much you’ve been given. 

Being aware of gratitude shifts your focus from what you're lacking in life to the fullness that's already present.  And, you'll be happier!  Living a grateful life can increase your natural happiness level.  Yes, let's say, for example, your natural happiness level is ground "zero".  That feels natural to your body, so that's your basic level of happiness.  Well, if something bad happens to you during the day, your happiness level drops below that zero level. So, knowing it dropped, you make adjustments in your feeling and try to level it back to zero. Now, likewise, if something good happens to you, your happiness level rises, and when you're ready, returns to zero.  Gratitude keeps your happiness high regardless of outside circumstances.  Practicing gratitude doesn't mean that everything in your life is necessarily great... it means you're aware of your blessings.

 

The Inner Path: Gratitude on Thanksgiving Day...and every day!

 Psalm 145:7
They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. (NIV)

 

 As you already know, long ago Americans dedicated a day during November for the sole purpose of inviting and expressing gratitude.  Thanksgiving Day was meant to pay our homage to the Almighty God for this plentiful and bountiful harvest.  Thanksgiving, no matter how you choose to recognize it, always holds the promise of renewed awareness for all our blessings. Look at the people around you and thank God that you're not spending Thanksgiving Day alone, and appreciate the food you are eating and the person or people who prepared it for you... be grateful.