Be Present and Take the Moment Before it Passes by
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that you must figure out how to break from distractions and learn how to be present in order to take the moment before it passes by. Don’t wait to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. Do them now, that time may never come again. For example, sometimes when we’re traveling, I will want to stop and take some photos, go on a hike, or explore an area. Instead, I know we’re trying to get somewhere, so I don’t say anything. I realized one day, what if that was the only chance to capture that moment, that beautiful sunset, or if we never pass by that place again? There will never be that perfect moment, right now is the perfect moment!
The Present Moment
If we capture the moment, we begin to stop thinking, if or when, and begin to place our attention on the moment that we are in. When we take action in the present, it is the only time our actions create momentum towards a goal. Thinking about the past or planning for the future is not taking action. Yes, planning helps, but it’s meaningless without taking action in the present moment. The more time you spend with your attention in the present, the more actionable moments you take, thereby achieving your goals faster.
Like this blog for example, I kept waiting, and putting it off because I just didn’t have everything the way I wanted it, it wasn’t perfect enough to launch. I didn’t have the right ideas. I wasn’t taking action towards making it happen. My perfectionism was ruining my dream of writing and sharing things I love and that I’ve learned, with others. Hopefully, I inspire my readers to follow their dreams as well. I decided to stop getting in my own way and gave myself a launch date with a set number of blog posts to launch with. Yes, it was hard building a website and coming up with that much content with a deadline. I didn’t exactly accomplish everything I set out to do, but thanks to my husband for all of his help I did it and it feels great!
One thing I have found myself doing through the years, is saying, “I’ll do that when I lose some weight.” I found myself avoiding being in photos because my body wasn’t good enough. I was always saying, “I just don’t look good,” and other self-degrading thoughts and beliefs. I would always find a reason not to post a photo of myself. I could always find something wrong with any photo. Well, guess what? I found many years of photos where I wasn’t in the photos with my family as often, and years of feeling bad about myself. It was at that moment when I was looking through photos and saw this that, I decided, no more!
I took control of my thoughts and started working on how I viewed myself. That’s when the real work began. I started listening to great teachers. Sometimes, I still catch those thoughts and I have to remind myself that’s not who I am.
It’s About Being a Better Example for Our Children
I didn’t want my son to see that poor example of self-value. I wanted him to know, life isn’t about what we look like, it’s about who we really are inside, and enjoying life to the fullest. It’s about taking in every moment. I realized that when it comes to social media, it’s important to show us and who we really are, not just hide behind a landscape photo. That’s not how we connect with others. I think people are craving realness right now and a sense of community.
We are good enough, just the way we are! So, be in those photos, live that moment fully like no one is watching. Think like a child, does it really matter what other people think anyway?
What others think of me is none of my business. One of the highest places you can get to, is to be independent of the opinions of other people. Dr. Wayne Dyer
Are you Distracted?
Something I’m working on is trying to be more present and not be so distracted. Obligations are one thing, but social media can be the biggest time waster. Yes, it’s nice to get on, post, and spend a little time browsing and connecting with others, but when that browsing ends up taking your productive time it’s time to realize what’s more important. When we’re distracted by technology, we miss the present moments. When it becomes too much, we have to stop, recognize it, put our phones down or turn the TV off. Then spend what I call “eye time” with our families. Play a board game together, go for a walk, a bike ride, or just sit and talk.
You may ask, why are present moments so important? Think back to the memories you have, and think what are the moments you remember the most? If you’re like me, they are most likely times when you are doing something you love or spending time with the people you love. That is what you want more of in your life.
I now use this as a lesson in my own life to remember to take the moments when they’re presented in life. I don’t want to miss anymore. I hope this encourages you to take time to realize what you value and what really matters.
Do you think people are craving more realness today? Do you think people are too distracted these days? Let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget to subscribe to keep inspiration and encouragement coming to your inbox!
