What are some ways to learn to live in the moment?

Question

I find myself feeling regret for paths not followed, or fantasizing about a life different than the one I have. I have so much to be thankful for...how do I focus on what I do have and live in the moment in my one wild and precious life?

Answer 1

Reading some really good books can guide you in this. I recommend the following: "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne, or "The Power of Intention" by Dr. Wayne Dyer, or "Ask And It Is Given" by Esther and Jerry Hicks, "Heaven On Earth" by Stephen D'Amico, or "The Path to Phenomenal Health" by Sam Graci, to name a few. And practicising the art of meditation will keep you firmly grounded in the present. The afore-mentioned book by D'Amico can get you started on that. It all involves a deliberate focusing on your part, where you become hyper-aware and conscious at all times of your inner thoughts which can lead you off course. It takes work but it's deeply rewarding when you get the hang of thinking and acting differently! But you have to guide yourself through others who've been there. Happy reading and happy seeking!

Answer 2

Well, sometimes I find myself having a "pity party", when really I am also very blessed. Then I meditate on a young man I know in a nursing home who is only 23 yrs old. Three years ago he was healthy, happy, very good looking, and happily married. One day with his best friend in the passenger seat he was speeding to visit his young wife at work. Some how, he ended up under a school bus, and was rushed to the hospital. His best friend was decapitated, and he is now an almost parapalegic. He can't eat, is fed with a stomach tube, can't speak, can't walk, can't sit up, and the only thing he can do is look up for yes and kind of look nowhere for no. He can move his right arm alittle,and his hands are all twisted inward. I visit him from time to time, and pray he won't see the pity in my eyes. He's been there three years, and his wife deserted him. I don't blame her TOO much. She's a very young woman. You can't really understand what all he has to deal with unless you think about it for awhile. I bet you can eat, walk,talk, sit up, and love some one and have them love you back. Appreciate the life you have, it could be gone in a flash, - you never know.

Answer 3

I think everybody at one point fantasizes about ones life and that is naturally healthy, but you have to look at what you have, and if it makes you happy inside, then enjoy your life. I could look back and see things I wish I would have done different in my life, but I am happy where I am in life with no regrets. To be in the moment is doing something you are passionate about so all you are thinking about is what you are doing, at that moment. At one point in my life I sat down and put all the positives of my life and all the negative things on paper, and you can see do I need a change, or am I happy with the way things are. If I had not dreamed about doing what I have done in my life, I would not be anywhere and unhappy, but instead, I lived my dreams, and it was all worth it.Good Luck....P.S, Do not be hard on yourself for your dreams or fantasy's, because that is what makes us tick. take care..

Answer 4

THAT'S SO FUNNY. i was thinking about 'regret' about 1 hour ago [get out of my head anne - lol] and it suddenly hit me, i really don't regret a single thing - sure i would like to do some things over but i don't regret anything. then i realized what i was actually feeling a while back and its what got me motivated - i have a fear. a fear that anne will forget to take her meds and something bad will happen so i make sure she has every possible way to contact me if needed and i do research and take her to the doctors for her new meds [i covered it becuase she wasn't up to it] and i make sure things are geneeral ok. and that my friend helps u focus in the moment - no more 50 questions guy. i listen more and talk less - wink

Answer 5

Always give yourself 5 to 10 minutes at the end of a day to tell yourself what you have achieved during the day, what you have learned, what you'll be doing the next day. Compliment yourself on the acheivements and if you've made mistakes, learn from it and make sure you don't repeat the mistake.

This way, you'll learn to appreciate your life more and also focus on what you have and what you intend to do.

Answer 6

There is so many people have been through hell and back and they have learned to appericate the times when you are not going through hell. You cant change your past so there is no point of wishing you could because then you would just wasting your life. You focus by appericating what you have and not wishing you were someone else.

Answer 7

We all do these things some time in our lives. But you must remember to live one day at a time and make each one special. When I go some where I have never before, I think to my self I will take my time and enjoy my self because I may never be here again.

Answer 8

Discontent inspires change. Perhaps you should allow your discontent to propel you into change. But it sounds like you want to focus on accepting the life you have, so in that case, your emphasis on the positives and what you have to be thankful for seems to be a good start.

Answer 9

read "the miracle of mindfulness" by thich naht hahn. it is all about learning to live in the moment. he also wrote a really good one on the same theme called, "peace is every step." i also just picked up a new book called "Present Moment Awareness: A Simple, Step by Step Guide to Living in the Now" by Shannon Duncan. haven't read it yet, but it looks really good.

Answer 10

actually be interested in what people are saying instead of just nodding and going along, really hear what they're talking about. dont be embaressed to do anything like kareoke or dancing and stuff like that! its worth it!!!