Appreciate the Little Things
“Now is the time to be aware of the present moment. I let go of the past and the future.” – Positive Psychology
Have you ever truly focused on something simple that you’re doing … without any distractions … something like eating a strawberry? If you do, you might notice both the simplicity and the richness of your action and the strawberry. You might close your eyes, take small bites, and savor the taste, smell, and feel of the strawberry with each bite. In doing so, you become fully present in that moment, and you may feel a sense of peace or wonder come over you.
Being present is an art, and learning how to be present can help us find moments of peace or solace, no matter how chaotic the world is around us. It’s something that we can develop as a mindful practice to help us connect with ourselves and others. It can keep us from getting overwhelmed, lost, or burnt out when we try to do hard things. It can also keep our mind from getting stuck in trying to rectify or change things that happened in the past, or control things that might happen in the future.
As a caregiver, I often notice that when I'm stretched too thin, trying to do too many things at the same time, I usually don’t do anything well. I do much better if I’m able to pause, slow things down, determine what’s most important to do now, and then go on to the next thing. Slowing down helps me stay grounded and present in the moment, letting go of both the past and the future. I’m also able to better appreciate the progress I can make, one micro-win at a time.
So if you feel yourself being pulled in every direction at some point today, try these three tools to help yourself be more present and mindful in the moment:
SLOW DOWN: Pause … breathe in … pause … breathe out.
NOTICE YOUR BREATH/MEDITATE: Where are you holding stress in your body? Breathe into that place. Get comfortable. Close your eyes. Repeat this phrase silently to yourself three times: “Now is the time to be aware of the present moment. I let go of the past and the future.”
SAVOR THE MICRO-MOMENTS: Find gratitude and appreciation for the present moment. Look for the LITTLE things that give you joy.
After all, to do BIG things, you’re really doing a series of LITTLE things. It’s these little things – micro-wins – that all add up to big wins. Take time to be present and notice YOUR micro-wins today!