Be present in this moment

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24

The other day while I was exercising my mind was filled with thoughts of “what’s next?” Not in what’s next in this exercise routine, but what’s next on my to-do list. The instructor in the video then said, “Close your eyes and breath. Listen to my voice and just be present in the moment. Feel it. Enjoy it.” So I did.

What a wonderful experience that was! The exercises were stretches that would increase flexibility and when I quieted my mind and became present in that moment, I felt the muscles stretch, my breathing slow down and my mind begin to clear. That workout felt amazing because I was fully present to experience everything that it had to offer.

So often I’m thinking ahead to the next thing. Always planning, multi-tasking and preparing, that I often miss out on all that is taking place right now.

My youngest granddaughter spent the day with me last week while I was working. I went upstairs and she had set up a breakfast tea party and asked if I wanted to join her. I chose to be present in that moment and experienced a beautiful time with her. We had conversations we would not have had if I had chosen to work through the tea party, which sadly, I have done before. That experience was priceless and I still had plenty of time left in the day to finish my work.

Part of learning to take my thoughts captive is to be fully present in the moment. To be completely aware of what is going through my head and making choices based on right here and right now. God tells us not to worry about tomorrow and that begins by being fully present today.