LIVING INTENTIONALLY...POST THREE

This post is part of a series called, LIVING INTENTIONALLY.  You can go here to see the first session.

Today I'm sharing an exercise to help you be intentional about even the " every- day moments" in your life. This exercise will help you to intentionally live in the present moment. Studies have shown that we think 30,000 thoughts a day. The disconcerting thing is that the thoughts you thought yesterday are often the same thoughts you will think today. Most of us are not even aware of our thoughts so they continue rambling on in our minds. Yet, our thoughts make up our life. The Bible says, " As a man thinketh, so is he". Since our thoughts create our lives, it would behoove us to become more aware of our thoughts and to control more of our thought life. This little exercise, when done on a regular basis, will help you to be more intentional about your thought life and therefore your life as a whole. It will give you "practice" learning to live in the moment.

Here are three simple steps to take to "be in the moment":

1) STOP          Periodically stop what you are doing.

2) LOOK         Look around you and "take in" what you see. Describe the scene to yourself if it helps to really take in the moment. For example, you might think or say to yourself, "I'm sitting here enjoying a cup of coffee in a bright yellow cup. There is a beautiful snowfall outside and I notice the snowflakes falling down. I enjoy seeing the cozy spot I'm sitting in with my favorite comfy chair that is a lovely color of blue. I see my husband resting nearby. I notice a favorite picture that I love." The important thing is to notice what is right there in front of you, right in the moment. Notice the details, shapes, designs, colors, etc. This brings your mind and thoughts intentionally into the present moment. Your mind can't wander off into random thoughts.

3) BE GRATEFUL       Thank God for this present moment and whatever else you see in this moment that you are grateful for, whether it is a beautiful snowfall or enjoying a warm cup of coffee in your favorite cup.

The point is to be really aware of the present moment, take it all in, and be grateful for it. After you have done this, notice if you feel any different. Did a smile come across your face? Do you appreciate anything a bit more? Are your spirits lifted if even just a little? Do you feel more contented? Do you feel blessed? If you experienced even a brief feeling of any of the above, it is due to being aware of the present moment. Life is only truly lived in the "NOW" or the present moment.

Do this little exercise often during the day. Eventually it will become a habit and a natural thing to live in the moment, helping you to experience joy even in the mundane, and to appreciate and be grateful for it.

So remember: STOP, LOOK, BE GRATEFUL.

We are so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are in the moment.   Bill Watterson