Melissa’s Musings :: 5 Tips To Stay In The Moment

“Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.”
~ Rose Kennedy

Lately I have been thinking about how great it would be if I could just freeze time or at least slow it down and keep my little girl from growing up too fast. She just celebrated her 8th birthday last week and I really can’t believe how quickly it goes by. You hear that from mom’s who have older children but don’t really understand until you too, see your toddler suddenly go from shaky steps to running around on the soccer field in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, I don’t have a magic wand that will allow me to freeze or slow down time but I can appreciate the time I do have by staying in the moment. Here are some exercises I have found to be helpful in reminding myself to slow down and be present.

Acknowledge Your Thoughts: Do you constantly worry about what needs to get done for the day, or next week or even next year? Try to slow down your racing thoughts and acknowledge that you have gone ahead of yourself – only to take you out of the moment. Breath and write down any thoughts that are keeping you from being present. Once you have written them down – stash them away in a journal or book and most importantly, mentally stash these racing thoughts away so as to allow you to be in the moment.

Accept Yourself: I think this is such an important point and really is the foundation of so many things in how we view life, how we are in relationships – with ourselves and others! I believe we all have different characteristics and unflattering traits that can pop up from time to time. Maybe our patience gets waned when we are tired (that’s me!) or hungry. Know that you will have situations come up in life that you felt you could have handled better or been kinder – but digest it, vow to try to do better next time and then move on. It isn’t healthy to carry around this mental baggage.

Think About Your Breath: This is a practice I learned in yoga and it really does help get you centered. If you find yourself overwhelmed or anxious, take a calming breath through your nose and out your mouth for about 3 breathes. Then breath in 3 times in and out your nose. This will help center and calm you down.

Put Up Reminders: The other day I was rushing out of the house to walk the dog and came across my daughter’s red Converse shoes on the stairs. It made me pause and smile just thinking about my daughter who loves to jump, swim, and just be a kid. I was rushing out the door and just seeing those adorable little shoes reminded me to slow down. Put up reminders for yourself – whether it be daily quotes, a bracelet that has special meaning and would give you pause. Whatever will help you to pause and embrace the moment are things you should surround yourself – not only in your home but work and even your car.

Find What Drives You: The essence of dandelion moms is to support women to follow their dreams – whatever they might be. Keep searching for what drives you – what gets you excited about life? What are you passionate about? If you have already found what you are passionate about – great! Keep moving forward to achieving what it is you want. Don’t stop! And if you are still looking – no matter what age – it is waiting for you to find it.

“Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.”

– Dale Turner