“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”
― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
Have you ever been in your car traveling a familiar route when you suddenly notice you’ve breezed right by the turnoff you were supposed to take? Jolted back to reality, you realize you were on autopilot – unaware of your actions – for the last few minutes. We all experience that dreamy checked-out feeling once in a while, but think how much you’d miss if you spent too much time in that state!
There’s been a lot said and written about the benefits of mindfulness and meditation power the last several years. Spiritual teachers like Davidji, Eckhart Tolle, and yours truly – James Van Praagh, all encourage students to “focus on the now.” And while a regular practice of meditation can help you start and/or end your day with peace and awareness, mindfulness takes that a step further – allowing you to fully experience every activity, every personal interaction, and virtually every moment of your day.
I started to list off in my head all the ways mindfulness helps you live better and be your best. I kept going and going…because there are a lot of reasons!
I grabbed a pen and started jotting them down so I could share them with you, so here goes.
In no particular order, these are a few of my favorite reasons being present is a gift…
- Focusing on one thing at a time, rather than multi-tasking, makes you more productive and provides the bandwidth you need for creativity to flourish. You’ll find you enjoy your work more, feel less pressured, and make fewer mistakes.
- When you’re truly focused on the present, it’s impossible to dwell on the past or worry about the future. For light workers – psychics, mediums, spiritual coaches, healers – this allows you to be more open to divine inspiration, intuition, and signs and signals from your guides and angels. For students of my upcoming Spiritual Life Coach Certification Course, mindfulness is one of the cornerstones that make a good coach!
- Eating mindfully and focusing on your food with all five senses helps you enjoy your food more, digest better, and be immediately aware when you’re full. On the other hand, trying to eat while talking on the phone, driving, or working takes the pleasure out of eating. You might find yourself hungry much sooner because even though your stomach may be full, your mind hasn’t registered your thoughtlessly consumed meal.
- Mindful walking is a delightful form of meditation. As you walk, pay attention to the sounds, sights, and scents that surround you. You’ll enjoy your walk and appreciate your surroundings more when you’re tuned in. If a pet is accompanying you, bring them into your “mindful bubble.” Maisey is always happy when I’m focused on our walk, rather than my cell phone!
- If you’re a parent, actively listening to your child makes them feel heard, reducing the need for them to seek attention by acting out. Believe it or not, if a child has behavioral problems, spending just 15 distraction-free minutes a day with them can help dramatically.
- Many trainers have told me that exercising mindfully, without watching television or chatting with someone else, helps you to burn more calories, and you won’t even realize you’re working harder. Music helps to inspire you without distracting you, so turn on your favorite tunes to keep you moving.
If you constantly find yourself making the same mistakes, choosing the wrong partners and friends, or feeling stuck in a rut, mindfulness is the key to breaking free. When you’re focused on the present, you’ll be more aware of the red flags when they show up, and more tuned in to guidance from the universe – and that’s a very good thing!
I’ve been having so much fun with my James TV channel on YouTube, and based on the comments, my community is enjoying my videos (and I know they love Maisey‘s guest appearances). You can check out my mindfulness video here, and join Maisey and I for a delightful meditative walk!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59jKamyClog