How to Live in the Present, a Guide for Normal People

Live in the present!

Make every moment count!

Quality, not quantity!

Have an Attitude of Gratitude!

Oh my.

Sometimes, when you are on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, the little phrases and advice and quips all get muddied up in a great big huge

MESS OF NOISE in our brains.

So stop.

Take a breath, and SLOW down.

This isn’t rocket science, this is your life. And if you take the time to really ponder what those toss-about phrases mean, they are actually super duper profound.

If you are spending your days fretting over all of the stuff that you can’t control such as the PAST and the FUTURE, you are missing out.

Because this is it. This is the day to live for.

I have now spoken to thousands and thousands of people over these past 13 years of working and writing and teaching, primarily women, who WISH they could stay present. They WISH they could stay focused on all that is good right smack dab in front of them, but find themselves in a constant state of unease.

I know.

I get it.

Another one of the phrases that gets tossed around a lot is that “life is hard.”

So here I am, in your inbox, reminding you that “they” (I love talking about “they.” Who IS THEY, anyways? God? The government? your mother?)

still haven’t found a way to control your thoughts. Only you choose and water and fertilize your thoughts.

if you are rushing about too fast and aren’t taking the time to pay attention to your thoughts, you may find them drifting to worry about the future or fretting about the past.

This isn’t serving you.

Stay here in the NOW.

So.

Imagine the Whole of Your Life as a Yard Stick

But you need to only focus on the ONE INCH (or centimeter, or millimeter…) you are actually living right this very second.

Sure — you can have To Do lists, and you can put things on your calendar —

BUT. When you are doing something, give it your all.

If you are playing monopoly with your kids, put away the phone. If you don’t “have time” to play an entire game without letting your mind drift away, then set a timer for 10 minutes and give it your all for those 10 minutes.

When you are driving, look at the surrounding trees and pay attention to the sunrise.

As you go through your day today and for the rest of this week — pay attention to your surroundings. Pay attention to your thoughts.

If they are drifting away from the present, reel them back in.

Start listening. Find the hum of the refrigerator when you are in the kitchen. Hear the birds in the trees. Find the far away traffic sounds and listen deeply.

Stay here.

I promise your days will instantly feel lighter, happier, and you will begin to feel like you are “in control” again.

I think you are wonderful. Have an absolutely lovely day.

xoxo steph

Want to see if coaching is right for you? I love supporting women in any way I can, and I have set aside time on my calendar for free 30-minute coaching calls where we can work on your most pressing mindset issue. I’m not certain how long I’ll be doing these, so be sure to sign up before these calls go away for good.
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