Masterful Mindset – Live and Love in the Present Moment
“Every day holds a new opportunity to live and love in the present moment. But you lose that opportunity to feel happiness and joy when you stay stuck in the pain of the past.” ~ Michelle Weimer
Question:
Are you spending more time in the past then you are in the present moment? Are you hanging on to regrets or disappointments of the past? How would your life be different today, if you let go of the past things that you cannot change and instead started living and loving in the present moment?
Action Challenge:
Last Monday was Memorial Day here in the US. A time to remember those we’ve lost and honor them. I get the purpose but I have to be honest, I don’t really like that “holiday.” Because for me, it brings up so much sadness. It gets me wondering what would have been, could have been and should have been. And when those “woulda, coulda, shoulda” conversations come up – they NEVER lead anywhere productive.
I know all too well that losing a loved one is heartbreaking and difficult. I learned that lesson at the very young age of seven, when my mom died. And although grieving is an important part of the healing process, I used to spend a lot of time thinking about how my life would be different if only… But I’ve long ago learned that there’s no use digging into the past and wondering “what if” to something that cannot be changed. And really, that goes for ALL past experiences. You can not change anything that has occurred in the past, so why spend your time and energy there? Instead, what would happen if you lived and loved in the present moment?
So this year, I was reminded of this concept again because the very next day after Memorial Day was the birthday of my dearest friend. She passed away earlier this year and I had been dreading the coming of her birthday as I kept seeing the date approach on the calendar. Honestly, there’s not hardly a day that goes by that I don’t think of her. But that day was extra hard. Thoughts of her consumed my mind. And I started down that rabbit hole again of living in the past and somehow wishing it woulda, coulda, shoulda been different. But it’s not and the reality is, I have a choice – I can live in the pain of something I can’t change or I can take control of the present – living and loving today.
So, after I had a good cry (of course, it’s okay to feel and grieve) I made a decision to change the conversation in my head and how I was showing up in my day. I got focused on living and loving in the present moment. I started looking for people I could reach out to and be kind to. I started looking for ways to spread love and joy. And it changed my whole day. Which to be honest, was probably exactly what my friend would have wanted… She was always one to spread love and joy wherever she went! (We used to call her “Mary Sunshine!”)
My challenge to you this week is to live and love in the present moment! Don’t spend all your energy on what cannot be changed from the past or what you cannot control of the future. (More on the future – in the near future!) Rather, focus on who and what is in your life now. The people and opportunities that are here now for you to love and enjoy. Live and love in the present moment. And just see how it changes the whole course of our day – or maybe even your life.
***Join me for more on this subject tomorrow, Tuesday, June 4th at 11am PT/2pm ET for Facebook Live on my Facebook Biz Page: Coach Michelle Weimer.
***I want to hear from you… Share your comments about this week’s topic below.