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Stay in the Present
Good morning! I
hope you’re enjoying this beautiful fall weather. It’s my favorite time
of the year. I think we savor the fall knowing that the chilly days of
winter are fast approaching.
I was talking
with a friend last week who’s already depressed about the thought of
winter. My reply was, “We still have fall!” His retort? “Yes, but
winter comes after fall, and I hate winter.” Funny how it’s so easy to
miss the times in front of us because we’re looking ahead to something
we dread. Worrying about what might
happen before it actually happens robs us of the joy that we could be
experiencing right now!
It reminds me of
a story about a teacher who was coaching a student a few years ago. The
student was always stressed about the next test. The teacher finally
asked, “Did you study? Do you know the material?” The student said yes,
but that he had always had a fear of tests and failing. Because of that
fear, he was constantly worried about the next test.
The teacher asked
him to stay present in each day for a week. Instead of worrying that he
might fail, he was to think about what he had done each day to prepare
for the next test – and feel good about his accomplishment.
He passed his
next test with flying colors and was far less stressed. Each week that
he followed this formula, he got better and better at not being
stressed about something in the future. He went on to become an honor
roll student and eventually became a doctor. He’s licensed to practice
medicine in several states and loves studying!
What could
staying in the present do for YOU and YOUR career?
Something to
Think About
It’s easy to get
fixated on something in the future that you dread or are uncertain
about. I’ve found that a great way to not worry is to remember (and repeat)
this saying: You can’t change what you can’t control. You can’t control
the actions of others, and you can’t change what has not yet happened.
So just be happy in the moment!
Weekly Challenge
Let’s make it
simple: Take this week to step out of your normal routine or comfort
zone and attempt a new random act of kindness each day.
Words of Wisdom
“You’re only here
for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the
flowers along the way.” – Walter Hagen
“I think my
mother... made it clear that you have to live life by your own terms,
and you have to not worry about what other people think, and you have
to have the courage to do the unexpected.” – Caroline Kennedy
“When you begin
to worry, go find something to do. Get busy being a blessing to
someone; do something fruitful. Talking about your problem or sitting
alone, thinking about it, does no good; it serves only to make you
miserable. Above all else, remember that worrying is totally useless.
Worrying will not solve your problem.” – Joyce Meyer
It is through
gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life
opens up. - Eckhart Tolle
“Worry does not
empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”
– Corrie Ten Boom
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