3 Ways to Be Present

My little ones "in the moment" at the bookstore.

You can allow the Universe to work its magic, as I discussed yesterday, by being present in every moment. When we are "in the moment" we can't harp on the pain of the past or worry about the future. If we're fully present in the now, we can let go of the process and take action without  fear or doubt.

But let's face it. We're busy. We're moms. And we're not perfect. Here are three ways I can usually pull myself back into the moment when I start to drift.

1. Take a lesson from children
I started typing up this blog post in Barnes & Noble while I watched my children play with toys at least 2 years below their age levels. They were having fun and completely immersed in the buttons and sound effects. I took a deep breath after a busy afternoon at the trampoline park, lunch, and shopping, to realize that I really wanted to appreciate this moment of peace.

2. Meditate
I don't always have the hang of this one, but I find I can meditate at night, often falling asleep in the middle of my favorite guided meditations on YouTube.

I also have success with The Sedona Method, which involves asking yourself a series of questions about your situation and "letting go" of any feelings or judgements. I have an app on my phone that permits me to listen to Sedona Method creator Hale Dwoskin as I "release" on a variety of topics.

3. Sing.
That peaceful moment in the bookstore didn't last long. Five minutes later and I was tossing a juice box in the trash when my son thought it was hilarious to squirt juice on his pants by squeezing the box. We left the store, him crying, my arms overloaded with packages and the rain pouring down. My son was in short sleeves and I was holding his jacket because I didn't even think to put it on. NOT a proud mama moment.

And then my daughter said, "Mommy, what's that song we sing when it's raining?" I pulled up Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head on YouTube and my daughter held my phone in the backseat, watching the lyrics scroll across the screen. Soon, we were all singing along and by the time we got home, all three of us were in a good mood, although I had a joyful tear in my eye.

Because if you have to be present in the moment, it may as well be a moment with music and singing and kittens with umbrellas.





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