Carrie and Danielle - Latest Comments in What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

VanessaRae — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:36:01 -0000

I breathe deep and remind myself of my style statement: Natural Essence.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

CarrieM — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:38:38 -0000

Ditto for me. "Am I in my body?" realigns everything.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Elizabeth — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:31:07 -0000

I ask myself "what is my purpose at this exact moment?" It helps stop the chatter in my head thinking about my to-do list or the future. Often times the purpose at the moment is simple, such as to be a safe driver or mindfully boil a pot of water, whatever it is that one question brings me into the present.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Alison — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:56:10 -0000

I've found that yesterday's question gets me present in the moment. "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" That lights a fire in my belly. When I think about it, I feel warm and determined, like I know exactly where to go. Fear can go away for good if that's a glance at my life without it.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

writer11 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:45:28 -0000

I don't think I know I'm not in the moment unless I start to feel anxious. Only then am I fully in the moment.. then I take very deep breaths or cry. Both work for me.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Sarah — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:16:29 -0000

that 's it! there is so much we miss. this moment doesn't have to be beautiful, easy, or even good, it might be incredibly messy. when we are In it, it means to me that i am able to give what the moment asks for from a place of love, rather than being lost in a story in my head about where i wish i could be, or what i wish this moment looked like instead.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Sarah — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:10:53 -0000

Oh yes, when I was practicing hot yoga it was an incredible exercise in mindfulness. Anything to not faint!

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Lindsay — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:56:08 -0000

You are not present if it seems like work to you.... that's the point... letting go of all the "things" and being for an instant present with yourself, with nature, with your breath.... this will lift so much burden... even for only an instant... it's worth it.... the lightness of being in the moment.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Lindsay — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:49:48 -0000

I focus on grounding myself, focus on my feet and visualize them as roots into the earth. I breath, and remember that only the NOW exists. I listen to nature around me, pause to take in the beauty, smell the flowers, pausing.... allowing nature to unfold in all her majesty.....

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Kristen — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:45:41 -0000

I'm sorry to be such a naysayer lately, but with all the things we have to think about in a day, now I should MAKE myself present in the moment? What has become of us?!!

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Rick_Juliusson — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:05:00 -0000

I remind myself that I'm here by choice; in this situation and this moment by choice.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

alligator_kate — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:50:10 -0000

I focus on my body. Am I IN my body? How does my body feel? Where is there tension? What feels supported? If I can't feel my body, I know I'm not in it.... During a long writing session I'll turn on some music and dance a bit. Even just one song helps. And if things are really bad... I lie on the earth. That grounds me every time. My 80% is elemental, so any deep connection to earth/air/fire/water helps--- a soaking bath, lighting a candle, deep breathing, etc.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

EcoDiva — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:38:27 -0000

I completely understand the morbid thoughts. I have always used this method to remind myself to be truly grateful and enjoy what is important. I wish your friend dealing with cancer courage and love. And the kids left behind...well, we can hope that they find a peace in their lives and are surrounded by so much love each day.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

EcoDiva — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:28:43 -0000

Getting down on the floor and playing with my son is my best trigger. Next, we throw on some rain boots and wander outside to hunt for slugs and bugs. He proudly created little stories about them and how we have to find the mommies and babies and daddies so they can all be together. Then we take a stick and go fishing for leaves, yellow ones are the salmon. This is my favorite moment and as real as any moment can be.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

kerrymac — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:16:12 -0000

I'm with Sarah and the struggle to be in the moment with kids. My method sounds horrible but it does work for me...I think morbid thoughts. About a friend who lost their life suddenly in a tragic accident who's kids are left behind or another dear friend who is fighting breast cancer...what if that were me? Would the things that distract me from being present with my kids right now really matter??? NO, of course not! Then I am shocked back on track. I also think of my blog as a journey and grounding point for seeing the big picture when things are chaotic.
www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Lynda Monk — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:04:38 -0000

My two sons - age 3 and 1 - observing how they are instrinsically in the moment, having this snack then the next :)) reminds me of NOW. Writing in my journal, listening to my fast moving pen scratch words over the blank white page. Walking meditations, noticing my feet connect with the earth beneath me. Inhale, pause, exhale - with particular attention on the pause. Peace, Lynda

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

laurie_matthews — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:59:58 -0000

Pause, breathe, and awaken my senses.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Colette — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:38:37 -0000

When I find myself dwelling on the past or wondering about tomorrow, the easiest thing I've found to do is toclose my eyes and breathe slowly, focusing on every breath. When I feel relaxed, I then intentionally focus on what I would most benefit me at that very moment. You've got to have a resource of mind shifters that can get you out of the negative and back into the positive; a personal deck of cards that's all Aces. I find repeating "I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, happy and joyful" reminds me that all is well.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

stella — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:26:19 -0000

I take a breathe. Always brings you back to now.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Emily-Sarah — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:53:12 -0000

I think maybe a lot of us are guilty of being "half" in the moment too often -- because our minds are whirling with thoughts unrelated to what's actually going on. I also think that multitasking is a huge component of not being fully present. For a long time it was billed as a super productive way of life: talk on phone, drive, put on nail polish -- all at once! Or fold laundry, have conversation with husband, pretend play with son -- all at once. ... I'm glad that research is now emerging that shows multitasking is NOT more productive in the long haul. So being in the moment can, I think, be as simple as "registering" where you are and what you're doing instead of letting your mind take your thoughts elsewhere.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Elena — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:51:50 -0000

Breath in deeply, look around and try and notice all the little things, how God is speaking to me through those small pieces of beauty and truth at that very moment. Continue on my way, but breathing in deeply and thinking the word "God" on every in breath, and consciously thinking about expelling my tension and rotten feelings and all the places where my head is floating some stressful elsewhere on every exhale.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Emily-Sarah — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:48:27 -0000

I am DELIBERATE in noticing the moment instead of thinking about the past or the future. Sometimes I stop and mentally capture the moment, the feeling, the love. Looking around you and realizing that NOW is the only guaranteed time we have is a powerful realization when you absorb its truth, its beauty, and its clarity.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

weezie — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:46:20 -0000

I don't know what this means!!! Where are you if you're NOT in the moment? I'm usually enjoying myself and paying attention to what I'm doing, unless I'm not. Am I always in the moment or never there? Ya'll help me out here.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

K. — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:26:44 -0000

Breathe in, breathe out, paying particular attention to how my chest, shoulders, spine and muscles are all working together. Putting myself back in my body with breath clears my mind to be open to the moment.

Re: What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

MoJo69 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:26:38 -0000

I have tons of little triggers - remembering/focusing on breath, walking through doorways (Gurdjieff), my hands (Castaneda), my inner critic (I decided a while ago to make this ongoing mental rampage a trigger to remind me to be present - it works quite well!)