Creating a mindful life can mean many different things to different people. I see working towards a mindful life as one that teaches us how to live more in the present moment. We do not have anything but the present moment and must remember that is where our opportunities are. Living in the past means that we are dwelling on past decisions that may have caused us guilt and regret. Living in the future means that we are living with worry that things will not turn out the way we want it to. When we are living in the past and/or in the future, we are missing the opportunities that are presenting themselves right now in the present moment.
Going through the motions of our day without awareness is a dangerous way to live. We receive guidance, opportunities, and support in ways that are sometimes difficult to read. Being able to decipher these messages requires our undivided attention. When our attention is distracted on areas from our past that we are unable to change, we become stuck in a world of guilt. Learning from our past and releasing the guilt by forgiving ourselves and the other individual(s) involved will help us.
Living in a place of worrying about our future is not only about control but it shows a lack of faith. Worrying about the future means that you do not believe or have faith that our Creator will not be there to help. A great example of this is financial worries. If you were to look back on your life six (6) months ago or even two (2) years ago, you probably were still concerned about whether you would be financially stable. Here you are today, and you have realized that you were just fine. You worried for nothing and it is a great possibility that because of your apprehension, you missed out on a financial opportunity because you weren’t focused on the present moment. Worrying is also about control. When you are worrying about your future, you are trying to control the outcome that works in your own favor.
Focusing on these heavy, dense, and negative emotions will tend to repel those positive emotions. Learning mindfulness can offer relief, so you can escape being trapped as a victim. There are several tools that are available that will get you ready to live a more mindful life. Creating a daily routine that incorporates mindfulness is a great place to start. This includes meditation, journaling, and inspirational reading. Each of these simple tools can guide you towards mindfulness.
