Life is busy, and we are all always rushing around, multi- tasking and overloaded. When do you ever take a moment to just be, just be in a moment?

It is really hard to do. Our mind wanders, we get distracted. No wonder being present and the art of ‘the now’ is so elusive, because it is hard. NOT being present is easy.

We are busy but we are not living fully and feel disconnected to the world. I know I feel this. I sit on the beach and watch the waves and try and be still and calm, but my mind moves from what happened yesterday to worries about the future.

“When I live in the past or future, I miss out on the freedom and peace in the now.”

I am no expert, but this is how I try and go about being present… I focus completely on doing one thing, it could be just following my breath or watching the foam on the waves.

I pay attention to the feelings that come up and observe the thoughts but just allow them to come and then to go again.

You are not trying to clear your mind of everything, but you are just bringing yourself gently back to being present. Not living in the past or thinking of the future.

You will notice your thoughts, if you’re paying attention, jump to other things. That’s OK — you are not trying to force all other thoughts from your mind. But by becoming aware of that jumping around in your thoughts, you have found the tool for gently bringing yourself back to your present task. Just notice the jumping thoughts, and lovingly come back.

Be patient with yourself but keep up the practise.

“The practice of mindfulness invites us to let go of goals and expectations and see what emerges in the space left when the striving mind quietens for a moment.” Sholto Radford

What are the benefits to doing this (the magic that opens up for you)?

» Creativity flows

» More considerate actions

» Feel more grounded

» Forces you to stop overthinking

» Develops awareness

» Less anxiety

» Appreciate your world more

» Stress releaser

» Become more effective

You can also take moments and just be present there. When I am with my son I try and be just present there and not on my cell phone or thinking about what I am going to do next. In my yoga class I am in the moment and breath into every pose with no distracting thoughts.

“Take this moment

Relax your shoulders

Relax your jaw

Inhale slowly

Exhale slower

Soften your gaze

Now be

Just be”

You can become mindful at any moment just by paying attention to your immediate experience. You can do it right now.

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life.” Thich Nhat Hanh

Read Finding Strength and Joy in Yoga