My previous blog post, Releasing Travel Anxiety ended like this:
“When I am present in the moment, I miss nothing!
I surrender the entire plan to the all-knowing Universe now. My only plan is to enjoy the unfolding, to be present, and savor each moment. Each and every moment is a gift to be opened in amazement! Even in the airports. Even on the airplane. Waiting in line for the ferry. All of it is a rich, delicious experience of which I intend to savor every beautiful, satisfying, vibe-raising moment. I fucking LOVE travel!”
We cannot BE present in the moment on vacation, if we have not practiced being present before vacation.
So how do we “be” present?
My favorite exercise to bring myself into the present moment is super simple!
Name three or more things that you sense – right now – with each of your five physical senses.
Name three things I see right now.
Name three things I hear right now.
Name three things I smell right now.
Name three things I can taste right now.
Name three things I can touch right now.
Example from the moment I am writing this: I see books, my computer, my dog. I hear the clock tick, the wind chimes tinkle, the tippy tapping on my keyboard. I smell coffee, ham cooking, and the dog’s blanket. I taste coffee, hints of toothpaste, the memory of ham.
I feel the floor beneath my feet, the couch supporting my back, Boscoe’s soft fur.
Boom! Here and now. At least for this moment.
How does ‘being present’ release anxiety?
Anxiety is feeling worried about the future. We cannot be in the present and the future at the same time, so when we bring ourselves into the present moment any time we feel anxious, the anxiety releases automatically.
Being present also releases us from guilt because guilt is a feeling of regret about the past. We only feel guilt when reliving a past moment in our minds. Again, by playing with the exercise above, we can come back to the present, and the guilt cannot exist in present moment.
Cool, huh?!
When we can be present with ourselves, we open to our intuition, to Universal guidance. How could we ever miss anything that is meant for us? We can’t!
We will be guided to the right place and people, at the exact right time.
Grow on!
What’s happening in your present moment?
What happens if you try the exercise when you feel anxious about something?