Where Did The Time Go?

One of the things I talk to my clients a lot about is present moment awareness.  That is, being fully present right here, right now.  I have them experience that through short meditations, guided imagery, energy work and the sound of Tibetan Bowls.  Research tells us that adults have about 70,000 thoughts a day.  Since that research was done before the invention of the iphone, ipad and other devices that keep us constantly plugged in, I think it’s pretty safe to say that the number of thoughts is even higher.  Whatever the actual number we can agree that we have a lot of thoughts every day!

The research also tells us that these thoughts are most often focused in the past or the future.  Very few are actually focused on the moment at hand.  We’re in our heads, reliving past dramas, conversations, arguments, hurts and slights.  These thoughts are accompanied by the old emotions of anger, resentment, sadness, bitterness, blame and guilt.  Or we’re in the future, worrying about all of the things that could go wrong, the illness we may have, the bills we won’t be able to pay or the doomed future of our child who got a D in Algebra.  We are, in essence, practicing for all the bad things that could possibly happen to us, our loved ones, or our world.  Sound familiar?

So, what’s the effect of having so many of our thoughts focused on the past or the future?  Well first, all of our mulling over the past and worrying about the future won’t change a thing.  Second, it will release a flood of negative emotions and have a corresponding effect on our attitude and behavior.  Our mind reacts to our thoughts a though they are real things.  So, negative, fearful and critical thoughts can cause our bodies to go into a stress reaction or the fight/flight response.   The flood of chemicals that is released into our bodies can lead to many different kinds of physical ailments and disease, such as sore muscles, high blood pressure, weight gain, heart disease and insomnia, to name a few.  Finally it keeps us distracted and unaware of the life, beauty and wonder that are all around us.

Keeping our awareness in the present moment is the only way to experience true joy and happiness.  I remember hearing someone once say that the present is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present! 

As aware as I am of the need to stay present, I can also get caught up in my thoughts, especially in the always lengthening   to-do list.  Imagine my surprise when I looked at the date of my last post and realized it was two weeks ago!  Really?  I could have sworn it was last Friday!  I even got up to look at the calendar to double check the date.

Staying aware and attuned to the present moment is truly a moment-to-moment practice.  Start today by noticing your thoughts.  If you realize that you’re in the past or the future, choose to bring yourself back into the moment at hand.  Take a few breaths, look at your surroundings with new eyes, express gratitude for something or someone in your life, smile for no reason.  You’ll feel better.  And then do it again in the next now moment!