We all know that living in the past can drag you down, but why? And what about living in the future? We know we need balance, but living in the moment is something we must focus on if we are to lead happy, purposeful lives. Living in the moment has been shown to be the best way to be happy and stay happy. Here’s why.
Living in the moment can help if you’re working on being a positive, happier person. I am a mom (and step-mom) of 3 kids and one of my biggest struggles (even before kids) is/was positivity.
Looking back I realized that I waited on a lot of “things” to make me happy or happier.
I said I’d be happy once I finished nursing school. And after that, once I passed the NCLEX. And after I passed it, my happiness was dependent on whether I found a good job or not.
Then my happiness depended on finding the right guy to date, getting married, buying a house. And on and on and on….
Such time I wasted being annoyed or anxious for the future instead of being happy with everything I had right in front of me.
Have you ever felt like that too?
Now, I know better. I’ve been writing and learning and writing about positivity, spirituality and self-confidence for years now. It’s one of the main reasons I’ve kept my blog around. To help other moms like me.
I can honestly say that learning to live in the moment has made me so much happier.
I used to get upset when I’d wake up early to get work done. I wanted the peace of the house, the quiet, the slow sunrise, the smell of my coffee all to myself. And then sure enough, a kid would wake up. And my perfect peace would be interrupted.
I would get so angry. And so annoyed. Instead of enjoying those special moments with my babies. I’m so glad I’ve learned to let go of expectation and to live in the moment.
WHY LIVING IN THE MOMENT MAKES YOU HAPPIER
YOU CAN’T CHANGE THE PAST
Almost every one of us has regrets about something in our past, but there is nothing we can do to change it.
Instead of wasting your moments and energy thinking about situations that are no longer in your control to change, you should use that energy to make your present situation better.
The best thing to do is this: learn what you can from the past, and then move on.
YOU CAN’T PREDICT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
Worrying about the future is pointless, there’s no way to predict what it will bring. And trust me, I grew up as a worry-wort. I remember being up late worrying about World Wars when I was just a little kid. And that brought me nothing good.
I’m not saying don’t prepare for the future, ’cause we can do that do a certain extent. But, being fearful about what tomorrow holds will one cause stress. There’s just no point in it!
Live in the moment and choose to make the present your focus. Enjoy the good that is going on in your life right now. Keep a gratitude journal. Call a friend and talk about only the positive things going on.
Take an honest look at what’s going wrong. Accept it. Learn from the situations and know that everything is working for your good. Even things that might seem bad. You just might not be able out of the life you have
LIVING IN THE MOMENT FORCES YOU TO BE PRESENT
When we think more about the past or the future than the present, we drift away from what is right in front of our eyes. Maybe your present involves a work project that demands your full attention and energy. Maybe your present involves small children with runny noses who need lunch put on the table.
When you embrace your present fully, you will get more out of the life you have. You will finally be able to stop sabotaging your present joy with fear about what may come next, or the guilt of decisions that are now in the past.
Be thankful for the faces in front of you now, and for the opportunities that are knocking on your door at this very moment. The moments you learn to cherish will enhance your future with the warm memories you will carry there, and you will have no regrets over misplaced focus.
KEEP A BALANCED OUTLOOK
Living in the present is important. And having a balanced focus is important too.
When you think about the future, make the plans that are need to be able to enjoy that time later, because someday the future will be your “in the moment.”
You shouldn’t stop planning for the future, but don’t let it consume your life in an unhealthy way. Balance is key, and will help you avoid stressing over things you can’t control.
Living in the moment is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself.
Happiness is achieved when we choose to live and enjoy where we are right now, instead of pining away for another time and place. By utilizing the time and the life you are given right here and now, you will know true happiness.
Happiness is achieved when we choose to live and enjoy life, right here, right now. No more worrying about an uncertain future.
Use your time and the life you have right now to be present and live in the moment!
You can read more posts in my positivity series here.
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Each week I'll send you the latest Resource Page. In it, you'll find
- Handy tips for focusing on positivity throughout your week.
- Tricks for getting your kids to listen to your every word (just kidding,Girl-- I'm still working on getting my kids to listen!) But I will send you fun activity ideas for you and your kids to do together.
- Useful tools that I come across, like meal planning ideas and such!
