“Being present is the only way to enjoy life to the fullest.”
As Leo Babauta from Thirdage.com writes,
“The idea being present, being more conscious of life as it happens—may seem contradictory to those who are used to sacrificing living for pursuing their goals. But cultivating mindfulness will help you achieve your goals and enjoy life more. In fact, you’re more productive when you’re mindful, among other science-backed benefits.
But more importantly, being present is undoubtedly the only way to enjoy life to the fullest. By being mindful, you enjoy your food more, you enjoy friends and family more, you enjoy anything you’re doing more. Anything. Even things you might think are drudgery or boring, such as housework, can be amazing if you are truly present. Try it: Wash dishes or sweep or cook, and remain fully present. It takes practice, but it’s incredible.”
Here are some tips on how to be more present:
Do one thing at a time
Single-task, don’t multi-task. When you’re pouring water, just pour water. When you’re eating, just eat. When you’re bathing, just bathe. Don’t try to knock off a few tasks while eating or bathing or driving. Zen proverb: “When walking, walk. When eating, eat.”
Act slowly and deliberately
You can do one task at a time, but also rush that task. Instead, take your time, and move slowly. Make your actions deliberate, not rushed and random. It takes practice, but it helps you focus on the task. Put your day on a track to mindfulness with these mindful morning exercises.
Do less
If you do less, you can do those things more slowly, more completely and with more concentration. If you fill your day with tasks, you will be rushing from one thing to the next without stopping to think about what you do. But you’re busy and you can’t possibly do less, right? You can. I’ve done it, and so have many busy people. It’s a matter of figuring out what’s important, and letting go of what’s not.
Put space between things
Related to the “Do less” rule, but it’s a way of managing your schedule so that you always have time to complete each task. Don’t schedule things close together. Instead, leave room between things on your schedule. That gives you a more relaxed schedule and leaves space in case one task takes longer than you planned. Transfer this method from your work life to home life in just four steps.
Stop worrying about the future
Become more aware of your thinking. Are you constantly worrying about the future? Learn to recognize when you’re doing this, and then practice bringing yourself back to the present. Just focus on what you’re doing, right now. Enjoy the present moment.
Eat slowly and savor your food
Food can be crammed down our throats in a rush, but where’s the joy in that? Savor each bite, slowly, and really get the most out of your food. Interestingly, you’ll eat less this way, and digest your food better as well. Here’s what mindful eaters do at every meal.
Make cleaning and cooking become meditation
Cooking and cleaning are often seen as drudgery, but actually, they are both great ways to practice mindfulness and can be great rituals performed each day. If cooking and cleaning seem like boring chores to you, try doing them as a form of meditation. Put your entire mind into those tasks, concentrate, and do them slowly and completely. It could change your entire day (as well as leave you with a cleaner house).”
At meaning to pause® we agree with all the points above, but here is one important point that is missing:
Pause often to breathe, regroup, reflect and reframe your mind.
Learn what is that one thing that will allow you to become present once more. You will be amazed at the ripple effects this will create in your life.
Good habits are not developed overnight the most important thing is to keep practicing. You will be glad you did!
Have You Been Meaning to Pause?