How often do you "increasingly working on what could happen? If you're like me and most people and are honest, the answer is probably all day! What a waste of time. We spend more time worrying about the future or regret and live in the past that we live in now. We tend to fly during the day on autopilot. Doing things automatically in fact not be present and aware. I do not pay attention! The crazy thing is the only thing that we have now and more waste that we cherish and live. God clearly in Matthew 6:34 NIV "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
"I especially liked the way the Message translation says:" Give your entire attention to what God is doing and not get excited about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you cope with difficult things that arise when the time comes. "We tend to do things" stupid "rather than" mind completely. "You know what I mean. You can sit with a bag of cookies and before you even realize what happened, you inhaled half of the bag and barely even tasted one of them ". Most precious resource God has given us plenty of time and we appreciate it so much more powerful and wasted the most precious resource. We have a limited time and the number of days on this earth. Live fully each is a way to thank and appreciate God's grace and generosity.
So how? We can not obey the word of Jesus in Scripture cited above, and learn to practice mindfulness. Is simply the practice of learning to pay attention to what is happening in your life every time. Studies have shown that attention can offer the following benefits:
Reduce anxiety;
Decrease stress hormones;
Boost the immune system;
Help you change negative habits;
Combat pain;
Deal with depression; and
Increase the benefits of exercise.
A great way to practice mindfulness is to replace disgruntled thoughts about what you could or should have done, or what things you would have thoughts of gratitude. Concentrate on what you have and not what you do not. Another strategy is to focus on your breathing - the rhythm of it, how your lungs fill and empty. Be aware of what is happening around you. How does it feel the sun on your back? Search - really look - at a flower. Take the time to really enjoy your food - the way she looks, how it feels, and really taste and enjoy it - slowly. Enjoy the feeling you move and stretch the muscles as you walk or exercise. These are all the gifts we are blessed to receive daily in our lives! Get to know and live in the moment. It is called "current" and it really is!
