The Present is Always The First Step of The Journey
Being present can be difficult.
Especially when our reality isn't as pleasant as we’d like it to be.
This discomfort drives us to seek various coping mechanisms to escape the present moment.
Tell me if any of these sound familiar….
Overloading our schedules to stay busy
Turning to drugs, alcohol, or food for comfort
Getting sick to avoid responsibilities
Spending money just to feel good
Withdrawing from loved ones and social life
Losing ourselves in movies, social media and video games
Holding onto anger and resentment
These are all very commonly accepted ways of dealing with a reality we are not happy with.
While these bad habits might provide temporary relief, they don’t address the root of our discomfort and disconnection.
In our search for emotional relief we harm our body by denying it grace, rest, water and nourishment
Instead we consume toxins, vengeance and anxiety, push it to exhaustion all while being malnourished.
None of which lead to the ideal outcome we have in mind.
If we want to change or improve our reality, we must start with the present moment.
The present moment is encapsulated in our body.
Where our mind may wander to the painful past or anxious future, our body is anchored in the present.
Being present and in our body allows us to feel our feelings and connect with our true Self.
Rather than numbing and tuning out our body we can embrace the present moment and experience our Self more fully.
This is stepping out of our comfort zone of being disconnected.
This is being present and connecting to our Self, which may feel uncomfortable at first.
The next time you feel overwhelmed and you find yourself lost in thought reliving a past problem or defensively preparing how to fight a future problem.
Take Deep Breaths: Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this for a few minutes.
Observe Your Thoughts and Emotions: Let your thoughts come and go without engaging with them. Notice any emotions you’re experiencing and allow yourself to fully feel them.
Ask Yourself Key Questions: Reflect on who you are at this moment and who you want to be. Write down your thoughts to help you process them.
Set an Intention: Based on your reflections, set a positive intention for yourself. It could be a small action step towards a goal or a change in mindset/perspective.
Engage with the Moment: Throughout your day, return to this sense of presence whenever you feel disconnected or overwhelmed. Use your breath as an anchor to stay grounded.
Very rarely, if at all, are we encouraged to simply be still and be present.
We are taught to do more, go faster and work harder.
Be still and be present.
Take in the range of emotions.
Be still and be present.
Intentionally engage with our Self for guidance.
As woo-woo, hippy and earthy as it may sound to some, this is exactly the path to elevating our consciousness, spiritually and physical wellbeing.
This is the path to increasing our quality of life.
This is the path to co-creating the life we desire.
The present is always the first step of the journey.
On a scale of 1-10 how well do you do being present and sitting with emotion?
Welcome to the month of September and our 6th Pillar of Wellness - Presence
Journey with us through the Spirit realm, elevating our consciousness, spirituality, and physical well-being through the empowering practice of body ministry. We harmonize the sacred care of our bodies with our spiritual, conscious growth and health.
Join us for a new Pillar of Wellness every month.
Learn more at OriAra.com
The light in me see’s the light in you.