How To Be Happy Now?

I am much more aware of the present moment now than I was a few years back. Now, I'm in the flow of time and want to experience joy by choice, and now is the only time that I can make a difference. My only choice is to be happy now because once it's gone, it's gone forever.   

How to be aware of the present moment? 

This is how it has worked for me. I observe my thoughts. The moment my thoughts wonder in the past or the future, I stop it immediately and bring it to the present moment. For instance, when I walk, I observe everything along my way and try to notice things that I can put in my memory about that walk. I observe how the clouds are shaped, how the wind is blowing, I see people in the eye and try to acknowledge them somehow, I look at the trees, and observe the colors, the seasons, the smells, and the sounds. When I am with someone, I observe my thoughts and actions. I am genuinely interested to listen and find a true desire that this person has now and wants to get there soon. I have learned that a few words of encouragement goes too far than any criticism or discouragement. My goal at that moment becomes to find a mutually interesting conversation to discuss and enjoy the present moment. When I am with a group, again, I observe my thoughts to see if I have any judgement, preferences or assumptions about the present group members, culture or purpose. I ask myself not be biased and be open to understand the person who I most disagree with and find a common thing that we can make an agreement. This is the only way to leave the group with a positive note, while being open to the topic presently discussed.   

Our minds wonders in every direction much faster than we can count them. Sometimes our memory takes over for a short time. But, it is my responsibility to bring it back to now. When I am washing the dishes, I bring back myself to the water temperature, to the smell of the soap, to how clean and spotless the dishes are washed and how I stack them on the drying rack. Then, I find joy in a chore that many find annoying. When I am goofing off for a couple of days without writing, then I bring myself back to the present by physically opening my notebook and pen ready to write something. And, even when I come across a negative past experience, I push myself to see what has changed in the meantime. This is how I can repair and rewire past negative situations in the present moment. 

Of course if I created my present moment, I am enjoying it already. But, sometimes, I end up in unpleasant or unwanted situations that I did not create. I take it as a natural part of life, but here are my tricks for coming out of them. I tell myself that is only temporary and I better make the best out of it. So I look for the good even in the negative situations. I don't have to change the situation, but it's only my perception that can change see the situation as good or bad. So, I find ways to be helpful, volunteer to do an activity to get busy, make a connection with someone I don't know, uplift the mood, joke, play dumb, and practice smile. If nothing else worked, then I try to zone out and think about my next blog article or ways or email I am sending out. 

Here's the big idea:

Our time is very limited and is very precious to be used towards our own well being and happiness. And, we only have the present moment to live, to make decisions, to think, to learn, to laugh, to pray, to imagine, to reflect, and to appreciate. These are activities that uplifts our spirits and makes us feel good. If and when we don't feel good, its detrimental to our health and survival as a species. This is the reason the present moment is the most valuable moment of your life. 

The responsibility to define and create our present moment relies on ourselves. Nobody is responsible or capable of doing it for us. It just doesn't work that way. Nobody has gone to ground instead of someone else. When time is up, it's up.

Observe your own thoughts because that's where everything starts. Be in the present,and find joy in whatever you are doing at the present moment. If not, change it because you have a choice. And, our thoughts need to be in our control at all times. 

Action Plan:

1. Seriously, observe your own thoughts constantly because that's where everything starts. If your mind is wondering in the past or present or anywhere else, bring it to be present moment into where you are and whatever you are doing. For instance, when I am washing dishes, I bring myself to feel the water temperature, the smell and feel of the soap, how I clean the glasses are, and how I stack them on the drying rack.
2. Fill up your time with your own favorite activities. When you create your present moment, you enjoy them already. But you’ll need to know what makes you happy because most of us don’t know. Download define your happiness worksheet and start listing your favorite activities.
3. When you are in a negative or stressful situation, change your perception deliberately. The situation exists, and you are in your present moment now. How to get yourself out of it is by changing your perception about the situation and by actively participating. Be open to opportunities because, who knows, it might become a life changing situation for you.

Remember, that this moment gone, is gone forever!

Love,

Now, it's your turn. Please leave a comment below AND answer the following questions:

How do you bring your awareness to the present moment?