Enjoy the Now

People have said to me lately, “Summer is flying by!” – “I can’t believe summer is almost over!” – “Why is summer so hectic?” In our culture of over-scheduling and over-achieving, we make things happen – and happen fast. It’s true, while rushing along, the days seem to get shorter and shorter. If only time would hold still, just a little bit, to let us savor life’s simplest moments.

In order to savor the present moment we must be free of the past, and the future, even if only for a few moments. When we unclutter our mind and be still, we find clarity, calm and a sense of peace. Here are a few ideas to make this a great summer, now!

• Purposefully slow down and acknowledge three good things each day
• Schedule “down time” – to read, meditate and even nap!
• Set limits on your work hours
• Bring presence into your daily life by pausing, deep breathing & noticing your immediate surroundings. What do you see? How does it feel and smell?
• Pay attention to your recurring thoughts and change those that are not contributing to a more positive outlook
• Each day share something you appreciate in another person
• Rather than allowing your “to-do’s” to overwhelm you, remind yourself that each is a choice. Could you eliminate or postpone any?
• Enjoy some fun summer activities (beach day, family cookout, water park, farmer’s market, sailing, bike ride, evening walk)
• Schedule some visits with people you’d most like to spend time with
• What have you been wanting to do but never take time for? What activities make you feel excited?

Two books worth reading to help you stay present are A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle and The Art of Doing Nothing by Veronique Vienne.

Food for thought:

• Don’t just think about the summer you’d most like to have, make it happen this week!
• How are you living your life? Are you rushing through it, feeling numb & stressed trying to meet all of your obligations? Are you fully alive & present experiencing the joy that is around you?

Contact Andrea for a complimentary 30-minute coaching call, and experience how coaching can help you reduce your stress, be in the moment more and feel more satisfied!
847-971-3643 / andrea@hgcoaching.com