Try Owning This Moment
Posted: Monday, April 12, 2010
by Susan Thom
"Stay in the moment" a phrase heard by all who are in some type of treatment for one addiction or the other. It is also one of the hardest things in life to do. We have so many things on our minds. It's difficult to own the moment we are in, absorb it, analyze it, take care of it if possible, and then move away from any lingering ill affects. Replace the depression of things gone wrong, with the realization that happier times are bound to come our way.
If it's good, it will pass, and if it's bad, it will pass. One moment at a time is easier to get through than longer periods of adjustment. We all, however, should be able to make it through one moment at a time. As the moments pass by, so does the day, and the problems that accompanied that day. Before we know it, a week has gone by. Now, there are different problems to face, but staying in the moment can keep us from getting consumed and overwhelmed.
We wake up, and mentally go over the list of things we need to do that day. We either have to go to work, or if we stay at home with the kids, there are always things we need to do. Errands need to be run, dinner planned and cooked, the kitchen cleaned, school work to go over with the kids, and when doesn't the house need to be cleaned or laundry washed, dried, folded, and put away? Sometimes, it's seems like an endless cycle, and it is.
Remembering to stay in the moment, can ease a lot of the frustration and the feelings of being overwhelmed. When we are drinking our coffee, we can learn how to look outside while doing so, and appreciate the beauty of nature right outside our door. Enjoy the moment we mapped out of our day, and let the feeling of peace revitalize us before we start our day with our list. If we are able to stretch those moments to a few minutes, even better. Work is not for another 2 hours-it hasn't started yet-why worry about it? Take care of the problems at your job when you get there.
Picking up the dry cleaning and feeding the family, then off to cheerleading and basketball practice, and home to school work, baths, and bed, may either be on your mind all day, or just for the moments you are taking care of what you have to do. I believe this type of thinking can clear the mind and comfort the soul. We may have to do things we don't want to do, but need to. When we stay in the moment, nothing is as hard as having twenty things on our mind.
Instead of ignoring what we are eating because we are thinking about the 3 full cans of garbage, and all the recyclables that have to go down, is not staying in the moment. We need to enjoy our time with our family, and know that although a hassle, the cans will be down in less than 5 minutes. The saying, "Don't go there" takes on new meaning. Whenever we begin to come out of the space we're in, and go forward into the things we have yet to do, we are robbing ourselves of the moment. "Don't go there." The doctor's appointment, with that big needle, is tomorrow. Let it stay there.
When a woman finds out she is pregnant, can she enjoy each moment of the process, or is she worrying about the pain of childbirth for 9 months? Precious moments are being missed. How often do we watch a movie, and realize half way through that we were missing the storyline, but thinking about all that lies ahead in our lives? Let it go. Anything we need to do, will get done, and we know this from experience. The best thing we can do for ourselves is train our mind to stay in the moment, and enjoy life.
A minute may be too long, or a day, or a week, but we can all handle staying focused on a moment.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Good article Susan, thanks for sharing.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi david,thank you for reading and responding,it is always appreciated,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Sue!Boy can I relate, as you probably know. Great article.Love, hugs and blessings,MichellePlease log in to respond to this comment.hi michelle,yes, you have had quite a year, and i'm sure many more before that :)that's why sometimes, it's just good to remember to stay in the moment, the rest will come as it should.i hope all is well,thanks for reading and commenting,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Susan, I love this article. Lately, I have allowed myself to think of things that may or may not happen in the future. It is so hard to quit this type of cycle thinking, but I do think the more you can stay in the moment and do the work that needs to be done, the future will take care of itself. Thanks for a good read. Your writing shows your faith.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi Fran,as long as i have Faith, i can move a mountain, or accept god's plans.thank you for reading and commenting.staying as close to the moment as possible, makes for a calmer and more peaceful lifestyle.my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
I always say 'one day at a time'. If I could learn the 'one moment' at a time, like you suggest Susan, I'd be even better off. Good thoughts.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi brianna,i changed to one moment at a time when things were too hopeless, dealing with one day at a time. it's good to have a skill to use when needed.thanks for reading and commenting,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Hi SueAnother really interesting article by you. Thanks for sharing this.CheersJudyPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi judy,i appreciate you reading and commenting.i guess i've used searchwarp to tell my life's story.it helps to document it, and share with others what i did in each situation.my best to you,and welcome to searchwarp,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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