LIVING IN THIS MOMENT

“If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. ” – Deepak Chopra

Being out of control is scary.  When tragedy or challenges come into our life or an unexpected emergency occurs, we grasp for lifelines that are familiar to us and yet, they are often not there to hold onto to.

Our internal dialogue plagues us with thoughts of good and bad about every situation and if we base our day-to-day decisions on the approval or control of others, we will always fall short in living our truth and receiving the answers we seek.

Sometimes people mistake trying to control what someone else does as guidance, which it’s not.  Too often controlling people come across under the guise of “I’m just trying to help you,” and so when you are not sure what is best for you or that you are not strong enough to stand in your own truth, you will often be taken in the wrong direction.

When you allow yourself to connect to a solid trusting Spiritual Practice, you will start to connect to a flow that allows your life to unfold without resistance.  When we let go of our ego and tap into the truth that is always within you, you will find the answers to all your questions and become confident in your intuition.

Our ego is created on fear and fear blocks love and abundance to come through.  So when you make a decision to connect to a source of love and trust through your spiritual practice, you will find there is a perfect job for you and that there is a perfect plan for you and overtime, there will be an easy flow in life.

“Even when you think you have your life all mapped out, things happen that shape your destiny in ways you might never have imagined.” –  Deepak Chopra

I think for a lot of us, we are in the process of awakening and opening up to who we really are and what we came to do, which at times is difficult.    Yet I believe, if we always integrate the best of ancient traditions like Yoga and a Spiritual practice in our daily routine, we will find that each challenge or conflict along the way, can be overcome with a sense of destiny and purpose.

If we stay open to the fact that where we are right now is the perfect position and that those around us are here to teach us, we can make a difference in this world and find the peace and abundance we long for.

“There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle. – Deepak Chopra

Staying committed to a practice of stillness each day can open doors and opportunities that you never thought were possible.  Even during the dark days of pain, if you accept your experience in love no matter what unfolds, you can become aware that each day is a unique gift of hope.

“It is easy to believe we are each waves and forget we are also the ocean.” ― Jon J. Muth

It’s always the little things in life that create ripple effects on ourselves and others.  When we become aware of the little things we do and say each day and begin to appreciate the power they have on others, we learn to become conscious of our thoughts and actions and make decisions for the whole and not just for ourselves.

“Make everyday count, appreciate and cherish every moment and grab everything you possibly can, because you may never be able to experience it again.”

We when take responsibility for our life and realise that our actions will create a negative or positive effect, it can help us understand to “think before we act.”  For example, you are at the shops and a lady pushes in front of you and you feel annoyed, but perhaps you don’t tell her that she was wrong and so you hold this anger for her and instead of forgiving her, you take it out on the kids later on.

It’s the decision you make in the moment that will impact your day and sometimes your life forever.  On a larger scale, an example of the ripple effect would be the “Boston Bombings” and how the decision of two men changed the life of every person who was at the marathon.

“There are no rewinds in life, only flashbacks.  Make sure every moment is precious.”

How we react to every situation is important and powerful.  We cannot know what story or pain the person behind the checkout or the person behind the wheel is carrying and so when we treat them with compassion and respect we are allowing a ripple effect that will change people’s lives and our own forever.

Pay attention and become aware of your day-to-day thoughts and choices.  Make a conscious decision to be compassionate towards others, even if others seem aggressive or dismissive towards you.  Learn to be patient and kind even when you feel the opposite.

Try to see the best in every situation.  Know that we each play a part in the web of life and that every decision has a ripple effect.  Sharing a simple smile, helping someone in need or offering a random act of kindness can and does make a difference in the world, so each day make the right choices for yourself and others.

“Don’t hesitate to live every moment out of your life in the best way you can, because living is once, chances are rare…..and nothing is certain.”

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

The great leaders of the world were often alone in their vision for the future.  When you have a strong intuition of where you are going in life, it can be difficult when no-one else shares your dream.

The only way to navigate through the uncertainty of life is to have faith in something greater than ourselves.  That strong intuition that we call our “gut feeling” is often the one we listen to the least and yet, it is there to guide us.

“Sometimes the things we cannot change, end up changing us instead.”

I didn’t realise how wise and strong my intuition was until I started to listen to it.  It was only when I took the time to be still in meditation and yoga, that I was able to connect and be guided by this amazing source of wisdom.

I am still learning to trust in my intuition and yet, I understand there is a flow in life that is perfect for me when I connect to my higher spirit.  Even though at times I doubt my decisions or feel alone, I am finding that when I step out in faith, there is a bigger and better picture that unfolds for me.

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”  – Mother Teresa

Don’t let your fears or past hurts stop you from moving forward and stepping into the unknown.  It takes courage to act on your intuition but in doing so, you will find strength and a wonderful new belief that the universe is truly limitless.

 

“There is no one as strong as a person whose heart is always filled with gratitude.”– Daiksu Ikeda

Have you ever noticed, that when a room full of people are whingeing and complaining about life and someone says something positive, how that suddenly changes the entire mood of the room and makes everyone consider their next words.

Gratefulness is a gift.  It can shift the most difficult moment or help overwhelming sadness come to a lighter place.  Overtime, if you practice gratitude, you will find it is easy to see the good in every situation.  Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present.

In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.

“Sometimes we complain without thinking much of it, but the frightening thing about complaining is that every time we do, a cloud descends over our heart, and our hope, appreciation and joy gradually wane”.

Why is it that we wait until we have lost before we are grateful for what we had?  In the face of adversity ask yourself: “What’s good about this situation I am in?”, “What can I learn from this?”, and “How can I benefit from this?”  These are difficult questions to ask when you feel let down in life and yet, in becoming conscious of these questions we can shift our negative belief into a positive.

The first step is to become aware of how much you complain.   Just for three days, make a conscious effort to see how many times you are not happy during the day.  If you find it is more often than you were aware of, make a conscious effort to change your negative thoughts into grateful thoughts.

Have some perspective as well.  Ask yourself, “Are you dying?”  “Are your children dying?” and then reconsider how bad life is?  We can learn a lot from the poorer countries, who always seem content even amongst the chaos of their environment.  They grow up with so little and yet, are appreciative of the smallest blessing.

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”  – Epicurus

Life is a gift.  The fact that people lose their loved ones everyday should awaken you to the fragility and preciousness of life.  Every morning try letting the first words you say be”thankyou” and the last words you say before bed be “thankyou.”

Turn every situation into a gift of gratefulness and realise that even though some days are harder than others, everyday is another opportunity to start again.

“It is this sense of appreciation that elevates, enriches and expands the human spirit. A lack of gratitude is actually a sign of arrogance.” – Daiksu Ikeda