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“Great minds have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” ~Albert Einstein

Earlier this week I had one of those days.  Have you ever had one of those days — those days where sometimes it seems like you are met with bad news or bad energy from other people?  I had one of those days when around every corner there seemed to be negativity, complaining, or just disappointing news.  It’s that negativity — that heavy feeling that drains your energy and makes you either doubt yourself, feel bad about something you did, become filled with regret, lose energy, or want to give up.  While I knew that positivity and good things were occurring as well, the negative still lurked in the shadows, repeatedly reminding me of its presence.

It’s not easy getting pelted with negativity, complaining or disappointing news.  No doubt you have been met with criticism or resistance sometime in your life (some more than others!).  It sometimes seems as if people are bent on feeling miserable for whatever reason, doesn’t it?  Doesn’t it seem as if they have a problem with people who have a positive disposition or people who are generally happy, and want to bring them down too?

While we may prefer to be liked by everyone, and while we try to reach out and get along with others, unfortunately there are some who don’t have the mental maturity to be at that same point in their life, or their mental mediocrity and ego get in the way.  Regardless of the source of negativity, I always remind myself that as long as I am not doing anything to intentionally harm anyone, and as long as I am authentic and true to myself, I don’t have to feel bad or guilty about anything.  I’ve come to realize that whenever I am met with negativity or a critical comment, it is a “cry” from the subconscious of that person to have a need met.  Usually it’s a fear of something.  I ask myself, “What is it that I think the person is fearful about that is resulting in their comment?”  Usually the complaints that arise or the negative comments are symptoms of the problem, but not the problem itself.

Criticism and negativity, fortunately, have little to do with us.  We are usually just the recipients of misdirected frustration over something.  It’s not about us — it’s about the other person, and more particularly the fear and scarcity mentality that resides within them.  Their negativity is a result of their internal processing of the world around them, and when they are living their lives feeling they are victims or that people are trying to take things away from them, there is little we can do to convince them that this isn’t the case at all.

However, while this may be true, it still doesn’t remove the “sting” we feel when we are criticized, or the uncomfortable feelings we experience when we are faced with negativity.  It’s that negative “energy” that we feel when someone is critical or complaining or negative, which has an effect on our energy levels.  Have you ever experienced a situation where you were feeling good about things, and then someone entered the room, and you felt that your energy was sucked right out of you, because of their negativity?  I have, and I am sure you have too!

Remember that the thoughts that enter our conscious awareness are just that — thoughts.  Thoughts are energy.  Thoughts can either carry positive energy or negative energy.  It’s obvious that the negative comments are energy.  Sometimes the negative thoughts come from external sources, and sometimes those negative thoughts come from internal sources.  Sometimes our ego tells us that we aren’t good enough, or that we aren’t worth it, or that we might as well just give up because it won’t be worth it or nobody cares anyway.

We are not our thoughts!  We are the observers of our thoughts!  We have the power to consciously choose what we believe to be true or not.  We have the power to become energized by our thoughts, or to become demoralized and lose energy because of our thoughts.  We have the choice.

The next time you are met with negativity, try telling yourself, “It’s only a thought — it’s just negative energy.  I don’t have to accept it.”  You can also pass that negativity on to the universe.  You can say something like, “Universe, I give you to these negative thoughts…I don’t want them.”

You may have to tell yourself this over and over again.  It does sting initially, and the negative thoughts keep on coming, believe me.  You’ll find that if you’re new to the technique of not accepting the negative thought and energy or passing it along to the universe, the negative thoughts come right back and still viscerally affect you.  You still feel awful.  However, as you continue to basically say, “Enough already — I don’t want to hear it,” you’ll find that that negative voice becomes smaller and weaker.  After some time, you can even start to laugh at how ridiculous it sounds.  The negativity starts to become less prominent and less important to you, and the visceral effects of negativity start to wane in time.

Additionally, I have found it helpful to not only denounce the negative thoughts, but to give energy to the positive thoughts that directly oppose them.  For example, when the negative thought that you’re not good enough creeps into your mind, tell yourself you are not going to accept it, and then tell yourself that you are indeed good enough.  Tell yourself that you are worthy!

It takes time to “bulletproof” yourself from negativity.  It takes hard work and determination.  You can do it.  You are worthy, you are positive, and you are good enough!  Don’t give the mentally mediocre the power to suck your positive energy away from you.  Hang on to it and let your positivity shine unto others and inspire those around you to adopt positivity as a way of life, day after day.

Remember — As Albert Einstein stated, “Great minds have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”  That’s very true.  You also don’t have to accept what the mediocre minds have to say.  Just saying…

Put up your shield, and let your greatness shine!  Shine on!

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net

“The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.” ~Meryl Streep

Yesterday was the first day of class for one of the courses I teach at the college level.  Most of the time, because of the heavy use of online activities for my courses, I get a lot of questions from students, so after class, I stayed after to answer questions from students.  As I finished answering questions, I had two young women who were telling me that they were hastily checking to see if there were any course activities due before class started, and that while they didn’t find anything and assumed that nothing was due, there was a certain level of stress and anxiety this had caused them.

I had never thought of this possibility before, this being the start of the eighth year that I have been instructing at the college level.  It never occurred to me that because I never specifically indicated in my communication to students before classes started that there weren’t any assignments due by the first day, I may be adding to the normal stress and anxiety of a first day of class, when there are so many uncertainties in the first place.

Hearing the relief in their voices when they were explaining how they were happy to know they hadn’t missed something or missed a deadline spoke right to my heart.  I explained to them that I don’t ever want to cause anxiety or stress upon a student, most especially on the first day.  I shared a story with them about a time when I was taking a class, and didn’t realize myself that something was due by the beginning of class.  I joked with them that I simply left the class in the middle, went and wrote up the assignment, and then handed it in when I got back.  They got a good laugh out of it, but I was serious — I actually did that.

I think that being an instructor who can empathize with students makes for a great learning experience, both for the instructor and the student.  I don’t know how many times I have structured my class specifically because I want to make a learning process more comfortable and convenient for my students, simply because I was uncomfortable and inconvenienced as a student myself.  The “not having anything due the first day of class” is one of those — I didn’t like being put in that position myself, so I don’t want to put my students in that position either.

The opportunity to be empathic exists far beyond the classroom.  We don’t have to be classroom teachers to realize the chances we have to make a difference in someone’s life and make them more comfortable and make things more convenient.  If you have children, no doubt you think back to things you experienced as a child, and structure your parenting in a manner that makes childhood more comfortable and convenient for your children.  If you have a spouse or significant other, no doubt you try to put yourself in their shoes and contemplate what it may be like to be experiencing what they are experiencing, or think about how they would feel if you did or said something.

We were designed to be empathic beings.  Sometimes in the business or the stress of each day, we fall prey to the raw emotions and the ego that drives our decisions.  Sometimes we find ourselves thinking only of ourselves, and our thoughts of others and their well being are secondary.  Sometimes we are too busy viewing our circumstances and interactions with others as threats, or sometimes our negativity stands between us and our opportunity to be great.

If you haven’t done so today, take time to think about others, and how what it’s like to walk in their shoes.  Think about something you could say that would lift their spirits, or something you could do to make their life a bit easier or more wonderful.  It’s that simple gift that we can give to others — the gift of our empathy — that can really change someone’s day for the better.

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net

“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” ~Mark Twain

Have you ever been told to “eat that frog” every day?  Have you ever tried it?  Has it helped you?  I know I have tried “eating the frog” myself, and it does work well.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, the idea of “eating a frog” everyday is intended to assist people with overcoming procrastination.  The basic premise is that if you are staring at your “to do” list for the day, and you see that one big item that looms large, because either it will be unpleasant, or uncomfortable to complete, then it’s easy to just put it off until the next day, because all of the other items on the list seem manageable, more comfortable, and just plain easier by comparison.  It gets so tempting to continue to put off that one big item, and push it to the next day, until you eventually give up or forget about it.

The suggestion is to make that large, uncomfortable and undesirable item your “frog.”  If you just eat that “frog,” then you’ve gotten the unpleasant task out of the way, and the hope is that you feel much better because you finally ate the “frog” and it’s not staring at you any longer.

Well, I had the pleasure of interviewing David Singer today, who is the author of the book Six Simple Rules for a Better Life.  Our conversation started off with the discussion of why New Year’s resolutions don’t work.  As David explained, most of the time our resolutions don’t pan out because the resolution is too large.  We discussed how we can take a lofty goal, like losing fifty pounds of weight, and break it down into manageable pieces, twenty-one days at a time, to develop habits that lead to lasting change.

That got me thinking about that “frog” that we feel we must “eat” to avoid procrastination.  What if that “frog” is something that looms large beyond one day?  What if that “frog” is a lifestyle, physical, or emotional change that requires more than just “checking” it off the list?  You can’t say, “Today I’m going to lose fifty pounds.  Boom.  Done.  Next!”  It’s not possible.

But, after my conversation with David, I shared with him the idea of taking those ultra-large “frogs” and breaking them down into “digestible” pieces that can be eaten, little by little, every day.  How about eating a frog “leg” every day for twenty-one days?  How about making a habit out of walking for five minutes, as David suggested in the interview, every day?  Then, over the next twenty-one days, you eat the “frog’s” other “leg,” and walk for ten minutes a day.  By continually eating frog “pieces,” twenty-one days at a time, we can accomplish great things.

Is there an ultra-large frog that looms large for you?  Are you thinking about the weight you have to lose, or your negative attitude, or the complaining that you engage in on a daily basis?  Are these “frogs” items that can’t be placed on a checklist, because they require daily discipline and practice?

Perhaps, as David suggests, you can start breaking that “frog” into small pieces, day by day, twenty one days at a time.  Perhaps then, the “frog” won’t taste so bad, and perhaps it won’t be so intimidating after all!

What is your “frog?”  How can you break it apart?  If you’re looking for ideas, don’t hesitate to check out David’s book.  He has some great recommendations!

Today’s your day!  Grab a frog leg, and start eating — twenty one days at a time!  You can do it!  You just have to start!  Don’t worry — I hear frog legs taste great with ketchup! 🙂

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net

“I would want my legacy to be that I was a great son, father and friend.” ~Dante Hall

Last week I was discussing how I was involved with starting a community theatre organization more than fifteen years ago.  For a majority of the years that the group has been assembled, I have either been directly involved or I have attended and watched their shows.

Whenever I watched a production as a member of the organization in the early days, I thought about how a simple idea — a simple dream — had manifested itself into reality.  A reality that has literally impacted thousands of lives in one way or another since its beginning.  Whenever I walk into the auditorium and see all those people in the chairs and all the people on stage (and backstage), to think that I was among the few who brought it to life years ago is an awesome and humbling experience.

It’s not about the ego for me.  I completely recognize that if it were only up to me, the group would have dissolved years ago — I have long since disassociated from the group while pursuing a career and raising a family.  Hundreds of other people have grabbed hold of the reins and have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into making the group much more than it ever was when I was involved.  It’s not about me — it’s about the people who have really kept it going.  It’s just awesome!

However, it’s a legacy — it’s something that three nineteen year olds started years ago, and with the help of a lot of people, it has grown and still exists today.  It’s just awesome to know that one dream has impacted so many people.  There are some former performers who have gone on to pursue a professional career that revolves around the arts, and the group was helpful in giving many of those people the opportunity to get started in theatre at a young age.   That was our goal when it all started — to give kids the opportunity to enjoy the arts at a young age.

We all have the potential to leave a legacy.  If you’re a parent, you have the opportunity to leave a legacy every day.  The philosophies and lessons you pass on to your children have the ability to shape their futures.  Everything we do has the opportunity to positively or negatively impact other people.

What will be your legacy?  Will it be a positive legacy that changes the world and leaves it for the better?  Will it be something that impacts the lives of thousands or millions of people?  Perhaps it’s not a lofty goal…Maybe your legacy will to have been a great spouse, or a great child, or a great parent who loved their children dearly and taught them how to live a happy life.  It doesn’t have to be big, by any means!  Start thinking about the mark you want to make on this world, and then start focusing and directing your positive energies into making it a reality!

Your legacy is out there, waiting to be left for someone.  You never know when a simple dream can grow into something that can change others’ lives for the better!

What’s your legacy?  How do you want to be remembered?  It’s time to go and create it!  Bring it to life!

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net

I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person. ~Audrey Hepburn

I love to laugh.  Who doesn’t?  Laughter is so important to one’s well being and good health, and let’s face it, when we are laughing and in a positive mood, it directs our attention away from negativity.

I have the fortune of knowing four people, off of the top of my head, that I know are great for a guaranteed laugh when I need it the most.

One person who makes me laugh — one of the funniest people I know — is my wife, Shelly.  If Shelly and I were a beach volleyball team, I would be the setup man, and Shelly would provide the spike — the kill shot.  Whenever I think I am being funny, she completely surpasses me, uses me as the butt of her joke, and makes me laugh all at the same time.

Yesterday, thinking I was being funny and clever, I told her that I keep getting cuter as I get older.  Without missing a beat, she quipped back, “Boy, I’d hate to see your baby pictures…”  She had me laughing hard, and laughing at myself, more than anything.

Another person who makes me laugh a lot is my pastor, Jim Liddle.  He always has some good jokes, and is great with improvisational comedy.  I thoroughly enjoy listening to him and watching him perform, because he always has me laughing.  Usually the jokes are a bit too clever for me, so I start laughing about ten seconds after he delivers the punchline.  Then I keep laughing for the next two or three minutes, and I start getting dirty looks from Shelly, because I am sitting in church, where I am supposed to be (at least a little) quiet.

The third person who is great for a guaranteed laugh is one of my chiropractic school classmates.  To make sure I don’t put him in any sort of compromising position due to his profession and contact with patients, I won’t identify him.  Let’s just say this — to sit next to him during a conference is the absolute worst and best thing to do — all at the same time!  It’s the worst thing because you sit there for ninety percent of an eight-hour conference, trying to hold back your laughter from all the jokes and wisecracks you hear, but it’s the best because the eight-hour conference goes by so quickly.

He and I were at a conference some time ago, and the presenter was projecting images of lower extremity (thigh and leg) exercises, rehabilitation protocols, and orthopedic tests.  The person who was shown as the subject on these images was a female, and she was wearing sports shorts and a sports bra.  The first thing that came to mind the question of why she needed to be wearing only a sports bra in these pictures — the upper extremity (shoulders and arms) were not the focus of the images.  She could have easily been photographed wearing a shirt.

I turned to my friend, and said, “Look — those pictures…”

He knew just what I was talking about, only his comment to me was, “I know…She’s wearing way too much clothing…”

I just lost it!  That’s why it’s the worst and the best!

The fourth person that I think of as one of the funniest people I know is Dave Theune.  I was fortunate to have crossed paths with Dave years ago when he was in a musical production that I was a part of.  His comedic timing and improvisational skills are just awesome.

A couple of years ago, I saw a Stanley Steemer commercial on television…The actor in the commercial looked so familiar, but I just couldn’t figure out why.  I saw the commercial again, and suddenly realized why the actor looked so familiar — it was Dave!  No way!

I had the honor of interviewing Dave a couple of months ago on my radio show.  You can listen to the interview here if you wish.  Below is also the commercial that I saw on television, featuring Dave.  I bet you’ve seen him in these commercials too!

The power of laughter is so important for a healthy life, and a healthy brain and mind.  Who are some of the funny people you know?  How do they bless your life?

To take time to enjoy life and laugh is to put ourselves in a more positive mindset.  When we enjoy the laughter — the bliss of the moment — we are in a much better position to live life to its fullest, full of optimism, potential, and pure satisfaction!  Laughter is a gift!  Enjoy it!

Here’s Dave’s commercial, as promised:

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net

“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” ~Joseph Campbell

I was talking to my best friend last week, and we were discussing a theatre group that I helped start at the tender young age of nineteen.  It was sixteen years ago, to be precise, that I, with the help of two of my friends who were also nineteen, started a community theatre organization.

One of the things we had talked about in regard to getting this group started was the fact that, even though I was in the midst of a deep depression, I was still able to function pretty reasonably, given the circumstances.

I hadn’t really thought about it, but it did seem quite strange that I found a few hours each summer day to be inspired and creative enough to contribute to this organization.  Looking back, the things that we accomplished as nineteen year olds was quite astounding.  To think of what it took to get sponsored, funded, approved, supported, not to mention the buy in from the community along with all the other things we needed just to get the organization started, it makes my head spin just thinking about it.  It also makes me shake my head at the sheer magnitude of the project we took on back then!

Oh yes, that and the fact that sometimes people don’t take nineteen year olds too seriously, especially when they are trying to tackle such a daunting task.  We had to be bold, courageous, fearless, and risky.

For some strange reason, even though my life was just a mess otherwise, I seemed to not just hold it together during those times when I needed to for rehearsals; I actually stepped up and did some pretty remarkable things — things that would challenge me greatly now, sixteen years later.  To be honest, I don’t know if I even could do some of those things these days.  I’ve matured a bit! 🙂

My friend, during our discussion, suggested that perhaps the time spent with the theatre organization was an escape for me — it was an escape from all the garbage that I had to deal with.

Almost immediately, it hit me — it was a revelation — an epiphany of sorts.  For years I had struggled to figure out what the “deal” was for me, during all those years of suffering.

It all came to a head, and I actually figured it out — I was afraid.  That’s it.  I was afraid.

“Afraid of what?” you may ask.  It’s simple — I was afraid of losing the life path I thought I “should” be living.  Before my mom died in 1993, when I was sixteen, I had a pretty basic idea of what my life was going to be like as the years progressed.  Yes, I know that one’s perspective of life when one is sixteen years old differs greatly from the perspective one has when they are older, but still, I had a general idea of what I wanted to do with my life, not to mention the fact that I was operating under the assumption that my parents would be around for a significant portion of my life.

Yet, on that July day in 1993, everything got screwed up — I had to adopt a different life path, because now my mom was gone.  I was so terrified at what may happen to me in the future that I struggled so mightily to stay as close to that “original” life plan as possible.  The harder I struggled to prevent losing my way on my life path, the more fearful I was, which limited my personal potential.

Because I was so attached to this life path, and also so fearless of losing my way, I lived a life of fear.  This was my “real” life, as I believed it to be, full of suffering and fear due to attachment:

 This differed starkly from my “escape,” as my friend had suggested, which was a time where I was bold and fearless, open to creative possibilities:

You can see when you compare them, side by side, that they are almost opposites of each other:

My “epiphany” came when I realized that I had this all wrong!  My perspective was “flipped!”  What “I believed” to be my real life was not really that at all!  As a matter of fact, what I believed to be my “escape” was simply a glimpse of my true, authentic self, when I was unincumbered and liberated of my fear and my attachment to the life path I believed I was supposed to be “traveling.”  It was then that I discovered the greatness that was within!

How often do we obsess over how we thing things “should” be?  How often do we fear change that lies ahead?  When we become fearful of the changes that we face — when we become afraid of losing what we think we “should” maintain — the fear and desperate attempts to preserve or protect the loss often limits our potential.  We are so consumed with preventing a loss that we lose perspective — we develop “tunnel vision.”  Because we lose perspective, we miss out on the potential that we possess, and we miss an opportunity to discover our inner greatness.

It’s time to let go of the fear of losing what we think we “should” have.  It only limits our potential.  We were destined to be great!  We can achieve our true inner geatness if only we let go.  We have to let go, and dare ourselves to live, fully unleashed, ready to bring out the greatness that lies within!

It’s time to be great!  Live unleashed!

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net
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The following is a guest post by Diane Wing of InnerMagick.com

The kids are all set for camp or other fun summer activity, your husband is playing golf, and you…well, you are probably playing taxi driver for the kids or using the time to catch-up on errands or chores around the house.  When was the last time you had fun?

You have thought about it, dreamed about it, but your family needs a lot of attention and you want to make sure you take care of them.   Now you are too tired to make plans of your own; besides, what if they need you while you are off doing something you enjoy?

You have now entered the zone of what I call Selfless Devotion Syndrome.  This is where you are tired from doing everything for everyone else, giving to the point of personal sacrifice and exhaustion.  You are feeling edgy, agitated, and easily upset.  You feel guilty if you say no to someone who asks for your help.  Often times, it is upbringing, whether religious or family or other societal influences, that guided you to believe that if you are not giving, you’re not a good person, or someone will not get what they need, hence the reason you feel guilty and are labeled as “selfish.”

And so taking care of yourself always gets pushed off to the side so that you can give others what they need.  You are worried that if you put yourself first, others will get mad at you or not get what they need.  Ultimately, the more you give, the more people want.  You get taken for granted, attracting needy people, with those around you, including your family, assuming you’ll just “do it” for them.
You can see that a new way of being would feel great, yet you are worried that if you change, there will be many consequences.  Keep in mind that there is a real risk of losing yourself in these selfless acts.  You get to the point where you don’t know who you are anymore; your identity is dependent upon what others need from you and want you to be for them.

The Gift of You

You are caring and compassionate.  You tend to your family and make sure they are happy and healthy.  You do it out of love, not obligation.  Remember, that you are a gift to others.  Your help and guidance is given willingly, and at the same time there are things that they may be able to do for themselves at this stage.  Leverage your resources and allow those who can to take responsibility for certain tasks that you have taken on will give you some desperately needed free time for yourself.

It is amazing to see that when you treat yourself differently, the whole world treats you differently.  You teach others how to treat you.  Turn that caring toward yourself and be as compassionate with yourself as you are with those around you.

6 Keys to Putting Yourself First…Without the Guilt

Step 1: Decide that you want things to be different.

Step 2:  Set boundaries – say “no” when it’s something that doesn’t fit into your schedule or if it’s something you really don’t want to do.

Step 3: Take care of yourself first – by looking good and getting the right sleep, exercise, and nutrition, you’ll have higher energy and a positive outlook.  It also sets a good example for those around you.

Step 4:  Give people back responsibility for themselves – this lets them learn the lessons they need to get in this life, if they so choose.

Step 5: Balance your needs with the needs of those around you.

Step 6: Understand the role you play in your relationships.

When you feel good, you are in a better position to take the best care of those around you.

Diane Wing is an author, intuitive consultant, teacher, and personal transformation guide dedicated to liberating you from negative thoughts, behavioral patterns, and energies so you can release your Inner Magick and be empowered to create the life you really want!   www.InnerMagick.com

Photo source: freedigitalphotos.net

“Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering” ~Ida Scott Taylor

I know I’ve been guilty of time travel.

“Guilty?” you may ask?

Yes, guilty.

That’s right…Time travel.  Don’t think you haven’t done it either.  We all do it.

Now, I understand that you may be thoroughly confused at this point, because, as far as you know, you believe that we are not capable of traveling through time.  I’ll be happy to help you do some time travel right now!  Ready?

Think back to your most fond birthday memory.  Where was it?  Who was there?  What was so special about it?

Think back to a memory of your mother.  Think back to a memory of your father.  What are the memories?  Where did they occur?  Why are they so special?

Our minds are virtual entities.  They are not harnessed by time or space.  Think of the internet.  Where does it exist?  It’s virtual.  When does it exist?  It exists now, in the future, and in the past, all at the same time.  Our minds are the same way.  They are capable of transcending and existing outside of the normal constraints of time and space.

While time travel is wonderful for doing the exercises that I asked you to complete above, time travel can also be counter-productive.  I’m not going to ask you, because I know the examples come easily enough, to think of instances where you were hurt or made regrettable decisions in the past.  We all can look back at how we lived and what we did and let that hurt come back to bother us — to stir our emotions — to essentially re-live the pain.

While we store these painful emotions to help us make better decisions for the future, they serve little other productive purpose.

Similarly, no doubt you have something weighing on your mind that lies ahead for you in the future.  Perhaps it’s financial, physical, emotional, or work related.  Maybe you’ve got a date on the calendar or a task on a “to do” list that keeps staring at you, and every time you think about it, all it does is stir up emotions of anxiety and worry.

It’s time to stop suffering the effects of time travel.  Why worry about mistakes and hurt from the past, and why be anxious over a future that does yet not exist?  To render yourself powerless, especially to the future, is to accept and admit that you are powerless to influence the events that are yet to come!

The other major side effect of time travel is that it robs us of the wonderful gifts that exist right before us, but we’re too busy worrying or obsessing to recognize them.  We don’t exist in the present!  We live in the past and the future, and we ignore the here and now!

Last week I took my daughters to a local children’s museum.  I just reveled in watching them as they explored and played together, because I was fully embracing the here and now.  I could have pulled out my phone and started checking Facebook or my emails, but I made a conscious effort to just enjoy the present.  How many more opportunities am I going to have to have my two daughters alone, ages three and (almost) seven, in the museum, and having a great time like I was?  How many?  None.  No more opportunities.  After that moment passes, it will be just a memory of the past.

The present moment, the here and now, is so powerful, so productive, so enlightening, so joyful, yet we ignore it for the sake of reliving the past and obsessing over the future.  

“The future creates the present against the backdrop of the past.” ~Lazaris

It’s so true…We can create beautiful a beautiful future by living in the here and now, and getting the most out of it — by making the conscious effort to enjoy the gift that it is.  We can create beautiful memories by harnessing the power of the here and now, and recognizing the wonderful present that we have given ourselves.  My memories of the time with my daughters last week will now be a fond memory — not a memory filled with sketchy details and interruptions to my checking of emails and Facebook account!

Take time to recognize the power of now!  Time travel can be wonderful for reminiscing, but even wonderful memories are no match for the beauty and sheer power of the experience of the present.  It’s time to stop travelling through time.  It’s time to simply enjoy “now.”

Photo source: freeditigalphotos.net