Power-ful Tool: The Power of NOW!

I had a major AH-HA moment that got me so “powered up”, I’d like to share…I’ve been trying to walk/hike more for many reasons, including physical health, mental health and because my husband loves it. On a walk recently I was really enjoying myself, and I thought “That is weird; I hate walking”…ah but that was the old story.  I got curious and asked myself “What changed?  What is the new story?” (HINT: Curiosity is a great tool to use for/on yourself.  Keep asking yourself questions to get underneath to the “juicy stuff”.)  Then it HIT me… A new habit (tool for my tool-belt) I have been practicing for years was WORKING!  THE POWER OF NOW!  

I hated to walk because I was “alone” with my thoughts–all that crap in my head.  I fretted over the past and tripped over the future constantly. My mind was so busy on the “should ofs, could ofs and would ofs, what ifs, etc.”  that I missed out on the magic moments of the walks. The walks were downright unpleasant.  Actually I was missing out on much more…I was missing out on my life!  Before beginning to develop this new tool, I had a habit of living in the past and/or future and missing the power of NOW.  When I stay in the NOW I experience “life” to the fullest.  It was so exciting to now realize I had dropped a very old/embedded habit and a new healthier habit is the norm.

Harvard University psychologists Mathew Killingsworths and  Daniel Gilbert found “A wandering mind is an unhappy place.  People are the happiest when their minds are in the present moment but they are only in that state about half of each day.”  I am actually really surprised about that last statement…When I am not “working” my new tool NOW, a ton of time is spent out of the present moment.  Notice I said “working”…like any new habit to stick, you have to “work” it.  You have to be intensely conscious on the present moment (again and again and again).

The power of NOW benefits (aside from the new loving of walking): more positive, creativity,gratitude , acceptance, love , connection, awareness , energy, etc. etc, etc!!! Wallowing in the past prevents us from LIVING in the NOW.  I like to reminisce about old times but I don’t let old stories weigh me down (TRUTH:  I work very very hard at this!!).  Same thing, when you “future trip” you steal the beauty of the NOW.  I know for me at least all the nasty scenarios I cook up in my head never happen!  It is just wasted energy.  I do daydream and do some visioning work on what I want the future to be like…I just don’t fret over it (TRUTH:  I work very very hard at this!!).

Sounds easy…right?  Yes and No…the great thing is, you can just keep at it because every second is a new opportunity to experience the power of NOW.  I highly recommend Eckhart Tolle’s book The Power of Now.  Here are a few more ways to help you add this powerful tool to your tool-belt:

• Meditation  You may be saying I can’t do that because ___________!  I am here to tell you, if I can do it so can you!  Start with 5 minutes and if that is daunting, start with 1 minute.  Listen to a mediation recording if that helps.  Just commit!
• Exercise  Any type will work.  For me yoga has been an integral lesson in the power ofNOW…to hold some of those balancing poses you (I) need to be 100% present!
• Breathe  Nothing brings you back to the moment like conscious breathing!
• Conversation  Really listening means you are in the NOW!
• Sex  No explanation needed here (I hope)!

As you are developing this power-ful new tool, don’t get discouraged, just keep trying.  Thoughts will come–just let them go (without judgement) like clouds passing in the sky!  Please share your successes, failures (not a bad word–just an opportunity to learn/grow), thoughts on the power of NOW!