Learning To Stay in the Moment
As we approach the winter of our lives, we all know that one day, hopefully in the very distant future, we will all die. Those of us who have COPD assume we know how we will die, and it causes us a great deal of anxiety.
But how can we know for sure, and do we want to waste today thinking about what could happen in the future?
Starting a new way of thinking
A new time for a new thought process. It is much more complicated than you think it is.
I was first told about staying in the moment when I first became ill and had sudden cardiac arrest six years ago.
How do you stay in the moment?
What does it mean to stay in the moment? Being a list maker, a multitasker extraordinaire, a doer if you will, getting things done even if I had to do three things at once.
There was no time for staying in the moment, and I found it hard to see the value. Always curious about the future, I felt that was where my dreams would be fulfilled. It caused me to miss many things that happened at the moment.
After getting sick and being diagnosed with COPD, I tried to go about my business the same as I always did. I went to work, cleaned my house, and showed up for students, clients, and family, regardless of what it cost me.
But, I had entered the tipping point, and those demands that I made for myself would no longer be satisfied. Six months later, when I had my second sudden cardiac arrest, I was forced to stop and smell the roses.
I have never been sure of the reason I survived when 5 of my closest friends died that year. Suddenly, I saw the value of my life. By staying in the moment, I was enjoying each moment of each day, and I was grateful.
Life can be fleeting, and time goes too fast, especially in the winter of your life.
Learning to live life to the fullest
Once you start, it gets easier; it simply means to stop multitasking.
- Do only one thing at a time
- Pay total attention to what you are doing
- Perform tasks, paying attention to what you are doing
- How do you feel? Where does your mind go?
- Your mind will wander, and you are required to bring it back to this moment.
- Repeat that a million times until you finally can concentrate.
Remember that your life is now, and this is the only life you will get. We may not have infinity, but we have them here and in the now.
I have survived things that should have killed me, but here I am. Don’t let your mind wander to places where anxiety can fester. Live this life to the fullest by staying in the moment.
Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on January 7th, 2024, Barbara Moore passed away. Barbara’s advocacy efforts and writing continue to reach many. She will be deeply missed.
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