Why and How Embracing Yourself & Each Moment Is Important To Living A Peaceful Life
Recently I woke up to this part of myself where I noticed there’s a part of me that is constantly in motion and pushing for certain things in my life to happen. A subtle trying to control certain outcomes in my future and in my body feeling the tension that this creates. Holding my breath and physically bracing forward into my expectations of how I think life should be (“should” - key word here) and being ruled by desire and clinging to what I want instead of sinking into the incredible experience that this moment is enough.
What I have is enough. I am enough. I am doing enough.
In this moment when I opened my eyes to this struggle in my body - feeling this constant way I push myself towards what I think I want out of the insecurity that what I have isn’t enough I felt stunned by the toll it’s been taking on my heart and my inner sense of connection and ability to feel peace and kindness. In those moments when I’m trying to subtly manipulate or control the outcomes I want in my life instead of sinking into allowing things to unfold in their own time I am not in the present moment.
In the present moment the sun is shining on my face, the air smells like pine trees, I have a dear friend who I just had tea with who I feel nourished by, I love and enjoy my work, I have enough to eat and I have time and space for self-care. In this moment everything is ok. In my mind pushing towards the future everything is not ok because it has left the present moment and it can spin magnificent and compelling stories until the cows come home because that’s what it’s done forever and that’s all it knows how to do.
So… I let my mind do what it wants but stop taking it so seriously all the time - feel the compassion for that part of me that gets wrapped up in the what ifs and the what’s nexts and say to that little one inside of me… “you really love that movie don’t you?” (our minds are constantly playing images and stories for us and we believe them like they’re real instead of relating to them as though we’d watch a movie). Then very intentionally come back to feeling with my body what it’s sensing in THIS moment - what is here that I can rest with? Where can I melt my body and soften any contraction? Where can I breathe in the goodness of the moment even if it’s something extremely simple like the cool air on my face?
Anam Thubten has written a wonderful book on this subject titled “Embracing Each Moment: A Guide to the Awakened Life.” It offers both a cognitive understanding of how to find true, sustainable happiness and also a HOW. You can read my full review here.
I also invite you to work with the mantra, “What I have is enough. I am enough. I am doing enough” as a way to be more aware of when and how you are getting tangled up in your inner dialogue.