Getting wrapped up in the rumination and low-grade anxiety that comes from dissatisfaction with life circumstances is exhausting. Like a mosquito in our ear, there is voice that reminds us day after day that something is not as it is supposed to be. When the mind and body begin to show signs of the frustration with life’s circumstances, it is tempting to try and time travel, launching ourselves into the future or the past to see what an alternative future could be or what we could have done differently. When we get stuck in this place, there is really only one logical step to take. We have to start where we are at today.
Being present even when our circumstances, relationships, or mental health is not as we would want it to be as an invaluable tool to get somewhere different. For many, the mind naturally reminisces and considers all that has transpired; finding fault and laying blame to the things that should have been and everything that could never be. But to find freedom in our lives, we have to start with where we are. Your past can be forgiven and your future can be dreamed, but the only thing you have control of is how you respond in this moment. Right now. Will you choose to continue your current course of chewing on the past or step into the present that is full of the difficult, boring, and beautiful. When we train our minds to come back to the present, we are providing a path for rest and focus for our souls.
To start where you are at, remember that you exist in different ways. Take a moment to focus on how you are breathing. Take some time to shift your thoughts and pay attention to something that is right in front of you. What is important in this moment that you can see and touch? What does this moment in time require of you? We will always gain when we choose to take a moment to be still. While anxiety can be debilitating, it doesn’t have to be your daily bread. Choosing to be present begins right now and can be the next step to choosing a different kind of tomorrow.