Are you feeling good, ready for the week ahead?
Or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed/anxious with a huge to-do list this week. Then you’ve got to apply for that course, so that you can set up that business idea, in order to earn a higher income and have a better life?! Don’t forget you want to travel the world, meet a partner and start a family too !
Sound familiar?
We all want and need to set ourselves goals of course. We as humans have things to do and responsibilities to take care of. A huge part of our being is to grow and evolve - but by embracing present moment awareness and concentrating on one single task at a time, we will enhance our focus, minimise the overwhelm and strengthen the connection between effort and outcome.
We’ve all heard about the power of now. The brilliant spiritual teacher Ram Dass famously said “be here now” 50 years ago. Yet most of us don’t truly understand the gift of presence. We live in a fast-paced, technology-filled world with numerous distractions at our fingertips. Smartphones, iPads and Netflix constantly trigger us to ignore the moments in front of us – this moment right here and right now. The stresses of work-life balance and emotional struggles like depression and anxiety can make us want to retreat into a make-believe world.
It takes strength and focus to be able to feel the gift of presence in your life.
But when you realise that your presence is the greatest gift – not only for your friends and family, but for yourself – you gain the power to shape your life experience. Every time you make the decision to have a clear mind and an open heart, you’re embracing the true meaning of the gift of presence.
The gift of presence meaning is defined by more than physical presence. We can all think of times when we were “there” physically, but our minds were elsewhere. True presence means that you are deeply, mentally invested in the situation at hand. You are experiencing the entire moment: the temperature, the sounds, the smells and the sights. You are deeply engaged with the people around you or with your activity – and that doesn’t include watching TV or playing on your phone.
Your presence is the greatest gift you can give to your loved ones – not flowers or toys. When it comes to your partner, your family and your loved ones, you need to be here now. Love and connection are two of our highest human needs, and the gift of presence is the only thing that can truly fulfill them.
Your presence is the greatest gift, because this very second is the only thing that’s real.
The future is imaginary; it hasn’t happened yet. The past is a memory, and memories are just emotions.
Give yourself the gift of presence, and learn to fully experience life instead of just remembering it or comparing it to someone else online.
Real presence is how you keep the spark alive in a relationship. It’s how you show support to your partner. It’s how you build healthy, lasting relationships with your children. A child might not remember what they got each year for Christmas but they will remember the fun traditions, the laughter or the times they felt so loved.
Life is full of distractions, and this is by no means an easy task but the more present you can become, the more peaceful and fulfilled your life will be.
Here are 3 simple steps for you to practice;
STEP 1 - INTENTIONAL AWARENESS
Make a conscious decision to be present.
Start by setting an intention at the beginning of your day or simply whenever you feel you need to ground yourself. Remind yourself that you want to fully engage with whatever you're doing. This intention serves as a gentle reminder to redirect your focus whenever your mind starts to wander or become overwhelmed.
STEP 2 - FOCUSED ATTENTION
When you're engaged in an activity, give it your full attention.
This means minimising distractions and resisting the urge to multitask 101 things. For example, if you're eating a meal, savour the flavours and textures of each bite instead of eating while scrolling through your phone. If you're in a conversation, actively listen to the person speaking without thinking about what you'll say next. By immersing yourself in the task at hand, you'll naturally become more present and feel that little bit more at peace.
STEP 3 - USE YOUR SENSES
Engaging your senses is a powerful way to anchor yourself in the present moment. Remember to breathe !
Whenever you feel your mind wandering, take a moment to tune into your senses. What do you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel? Describe these sensations to yourself in detail. This technique helps bring your attention back to the immediate experience and away from distractions or worries.
Remember, being present is a skill that requires practice. It's okay if your mind drifts; the key is to gently guide your focus back to the present whenever you notice it wandering. Over time, with consistent effort, you'll find it easier to stay present and fully experience the richness of each moment.
“Welcome to the present moment. Here now.
The only moment there ever is”
Have a great week ?