Be Here Now

 

How to Be Here Now: 3 Exercises To Be More Present

"One foot in the past; one foot in the future; pissing on the now."

Russell Friedman, Co-Founder The Grief Recovery Institute

A dear friend, mentor and wise soul, Russell Friedman, once shared this quote with me while we were discussing the importance of being present in life. This bold and somewhat crass phrase conjures a completely accurate metaphor. The more I thought about it, the more it rang true. I definitely do not want to be pissing on the now. You? Unfortunately, it's what many of us do because we waste so much time ruminating about the past or trying to predict the future. The truth is -- right now is the only moment we are guaranteed.

When you live in regret or longing for the past, or in a constant state of trying to protect yourself from future misfortune, you miss the real and potentially amazing opportunities that are staring you right in the face, in the now.

Three Exercises to Be More Present

1. Conscious Observation. Take an object, like your phone or a pen. For 60 seconds, look at it, feel it, observe it without judging it. (Don't think about whether you like it, it's time to get an updated model, etc. Just observe it for what it actually is.)

2. Count to 10. Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and slowly count to 10. Repeat this a couple times throughout the day. You will have thoughts. Don't worry about that and don't try to stop them. Just let them be, without attaching any meaning to them. Your thoughts are like a pebble thrown into water -- just observe the ripples as they eventually smooth to calm water.

3. Sixty-Second Meditation. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and simply follow your inhales and exhales for 60 seconds. Again, those thoughts are ripples in the water...

You may want to do just one of these exercises or try them all. Just like anything, the key to building your awareness and present moment consciousness is consistency. The more you do these exercises, the more you will be able to harness the unlimited potential that this moment is offering.

Woot Woot Awesome Dude Rad Chill

If I never hear any of these words again, in this lifetime, I will be one happy camper.

Thank You Debbie

What a grand time Debbie Simmer and I had this afternoon playing music together. Her piano playing and my vocals joined forces, lifting our spirits, treating us to pleasant surprises, and leaving us wanting more!

Waking Up

Life is mysterious. We're certain we're on a path, then wake up, seasons or even years later, only to discover that the path we were on kept us walking in ever smaller, concentric circles.

Sometimes when we awaken, the light seems bright and we squint to limit the amount we take in. We yawn and stretch and look around and wonder what happened to me? Where did I go? Was I in a trance?

But the verbal, analytical brain cannot help much here. There's nothing to do but face forward, take a few good breaths, shake off the dust, open our hearts and keep moving.

Thanks To Gary

Two hours of unbelievably beautiful accompaniment with Gary Gotto. It's been many moons since I've felt enough like my Self to sing jazz. Thank you Gary. Yesterday was incredible.

The Course In Miracles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOfa-u9EAOQ&feature=share&list=PL0D9C2D697D57CBA1

Dedicated To All Spiritual Warriors

http://youtu.be/1Qd-fAnHjPg

Everything Is Holy Now

http://youtu.be/ua0PE1zulD4

Eckhart Tolle: the Purpose of Mental Illness

http://youtu.be/0lagC4l7SO0

Home Sweet Home

The Rag Sister's wee home in Atlin, in Northwesternmost BC on the Yukon border...

How To Have a Functional, Trusting, Relaxed, Mutually Satisfying Human Relationship with a Highly Defensive Person (HDP)

Short answer: You can't.

Long answer: You really can't. Don't even try.

The First Conscious Step

Tonight I took the very first truly positive, conscious, Self affirming step, since my partner broke up with me January 31st.
I fully realized that the rejection and suffering I've been wrestling with has absolutely nothing to do with him and that there is absolutely nothing in this world he can do to alleviate it. The rejection and suffering belong to me and I am the only one with the power to heal it. So tonight I took that power. I did the right thing. I let go. I turned away from him (and his) and turned toward my own precious Self... I did the right thing for me and in doing it, realized that it's never too late to step back onto our own sacred paths. Never!

THANKS BRENE BROWN

Emoto

“If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.”

Masaru Emoto, The Secret Life of Water