How to Live in the Present Moment

As we age, it can be easy to get caught up in the past or worry about the future. But it's important to remember that the only moment we have control over is the present moment. By living in the present moment, we can savor the good times, cope with the bad times, and appreciate the beauty of life.

Spend time in nature to connect with the present moment. Take a walk in the park, go for a hike in the woods, or simply sit in your backyard and enjoy the fresh air. I know for me, sometimes walking in nature where I live can be dangerous as you never know what critters are lurking, but I do enjoy sitting and watching the lake behind my home. The gators are usually always present, and I do love to watch them glide across the lake.

Practicing mindfulness meditation is a great way to train your mind to focus on the present moment. There are many different types of mindfulness meditation, so find one that works for you and practice it regularly.

Doing things that you enjoy, you're more likely to be present in the moment. Make time for activities that make you happy, such as spending time with loved ones, reading, or listening to music.

Be grateful. Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can help you to focus on the positive aspects of your life. Take some time each day to reflect on the things you're grateful for. A lot of pretty much have what we need, but think we need more. I am guilty as well. I do like to take time to realize how grateful  and blessed I am for what I have. 

Let go of the past and the future. It's impossible to change the past, and worrying about the future doesn't do any good. Instead, focus on the present moment and live your life to the fullest. The past is what it is. The past, It's behind you. Let it go. Learn from it and move forward into the present. 

 When you're feeling stressed, anxious, or angry, don't try to push those feelings away. Instead, acknowledge them and allow yourself to feel them. Once you've acknowledged your emotions, you can start to deal with them in a healthy way. There's nothing wrong with a good cry. When your cry is over, pull yourself up and move on. Even if the feelings are there, you acknowledged them. If you are really in a bad state, contact your doctor! Get help! You are not alone. 

The next two mean a lot to me. I learned to do this when I first started watercoloring. A favorite of mine, a watercolor artist, named Sarah Cray, always makes us take an oath before we do one of her sessions. "I promise to be kind to myself, I promise not to compare my work to others, and I promise to have fun!" She is so very sweet. 

Be kind to yourself!  Everyone makes mistakes. When you make a mistake, don't beat yourself up about it. Instead, learn from your mistake and move on. Or if you watercolor, sometimes a mistake can be to your advantage. Just work with it!

Next is, don't compare yourself to others. Everyone is different. Comparing yourself to others will only make you feel bad about yourself. Focus on your own journey and be proud of your accomplishments. We are all different and that makes each one of us unique! Celebrate your uniqueness! 

So you can remember the past, as there may be many great memories, but live for today. 

Most of all. BE KIND TO YOURSELF!