Last month my mom and I went on a little mini vacation. We drove out to the Kootenays in British Columbia, Canada and did a road trip of three hot springs. We went to Ainsworth, Nakusp and Halcyon. We had a really great time, and I was reminded how I really need to be grateful for the things that I can do, and that I get to do. It's a privilege to have time together with my mom, and be able to do road trips together. I know it won't last forever, so I need to be thankful for the times that we get to make some memories together.
Sometimes I get frustrated with the small things. You know the daily things that can irritate and take away from the moment. This happens to me sometimes when I am travelling too. I might have an agenda that's simply too jam packed full with stuff, and then I start to focus in on what I am missing, instead of enjoying the here and now, and fully taking in what I actually get to do, see and experience.
It's actually hard to live in the moment. It's hard to just enjoy the day as it unfolds infront of you. It's hard to always ignore the past and not contemplate the future. But living in the moment without the drudgery of the past and the uncertainty of the future is an amazing spot to be in. In the moments that this can be achieved, life is vibrant.
So how do we achieve that state of 'living in the moment?'
1. Be thankful/grateful for the current moment - that it exists in your world. Don't clutter it with things from the past, or anticipations of the future. Just let it be there - on its own.
2. Make sure your mind is present. Don't just be there physically, but concentrate on right now. What do you sense? Use all your senses - smell, listen, see, touch. Soak it all in so that you are enveloped in it - right now.
3. Love yourself, love the ones you are with. Don't get lost in the irritations of everyday. Ignore those, and just be.
4. Be mindful of your thoughts. You have to always corral them to be in the present - and not let them get away with drawing your attention elsewhere. It's like a meditation - to be available at the moment.
5. At any given moment just allow the joy of your experience to wash over you. It will help keep you in the here and now. It's when you let go of those moments of purity, that you loose the connection to the moment, and allow other things to clutter.
I'm grateful that I had this time with my mom. It also reminded me to be more present and enjoy the good times while they are here.
