Living in the Moment
When you live in the moment, the past is history and the future does not exist. There is only the now. Many on the spiritual path practice living in the moment because this is where they discover peace. It's easier said than done because you are human, and the mind wanders into the past and the future, causing your thoughts to create emotions that disturb your peace. For example, you may be thinking about someone who hurt you in the past and you feel sad or angry or your mind may wander into the future, thinking about the bills you need to pay, and this creates anxiety and worry. It takes practice and consciousness to live in the present, but the reward is peace.
Reflect on these quotes about living in the present: “You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present.” ~Jan Glidewell; “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present.” ~Babatunde Olatunji
You can practice living in the moment to create peace in lots of different ways. For example:
Be conscious of your breath. By simply breathing, you can pull yourself back into the present moment.
You can practice being present while washing the dishes, brushing your teeth, or doing the laundry. Pay attention to the feeling, the colors, and the movement.
Try a meditation or yoga class.
Take a walk and notice your surroundings, the wind blowing the trees, the color of the flowers, and the animals moving in nature.
While driving in the car, don't worry about your destination; practice paying attention to your hands on the wheel, the traffic lights, or the signs on the road.
The next time you're with someone, really pay attention. Listen to what they say, focus on eye contact, and breathe with them.
Watch children and learn from them. They can live fully in the present moment.
The gift of being present to the moment is inner peace. In this place of inner peace is a state of oneness, and when you experience this, you know God and the angels are present with you.
Dearest angels, I realize peace is found in the present moment. I need your help in finding peace. Help me let go and remember the past is the past. Help me surrender my worries and my what ifs about the future, knowing that there is nothing to worry about if I trust God. Remind me when I am drifting into the past or the future and please nudge me back into the present moment where peace is found. With your help, I accept the gifts and peace found in the sacredness of the present moment.
You have the opportunity in every moment to feel more peaceful just by reaching out to the angels and asking for help. Set your intentions in the morning and declare what you want to feel and experience throughout your day. Believe that the angels are with you, and if something comes up, know that they can help you transform worry into trust, impatience into patience, guilt into forgiveness, and anxiety into peace.
