A Simple Technique For Feeling Better in the Here and Now
- This post contains a portion of a complete article that can be found at Psychology Today
We think that just around the corner something is going to happen that will make us feel better about ourselves. Just that one goal, that one satisfaction, that one achievement, and we’ll be good. Right?
Well, sometimes. But most often, it seems, as soon as we achieve that something, we are ready for the next something. And then the next, and the next.
... there’s always one more thing that you want – or need – to make your life feel complete..., Yet ..., we never seem to actually stop and feel that completion. As soon as we accomplish whatever it is that we think we want or need, we’re off and running again, thinking about the next thing on our list. Or maybe something that wasn’t on the list before at all, but popped up as soon as we accomplished the last thing we were aiming for.
So here’s a small exercise to try: The next time you find yourself thinking about any future goal that will bring you satisfaction, happiness, a sense of completeness or fulfillment, take a moment to pay attention to what you’re doing right now. And ask yourself if there is anything in this current moment of your life that you can feel pleased with, proud of, or simply satisfied with. Do you like what you’re wearing? Did you enjoy something you ate? Did you have a nice interaction with someone in the past hour or so? If so, applaud yourself (quietly, so that you don’t offset your pleasure by embarrassing yourself!) Give yourself credit for what you have just done. Appreciate it.
If not, if there’s nothing that gives you some pleasure in the past few hours, instead of focusing on the future, try simply appreciating something about the moment – a deep breath, a stretch, a sip of water, a job that you are working on, a work in progress of any sort. Call a parent, a spouse, a friend and just chat for a minute or two. Look up something interesting on line. Give someone a compliment. Give yourself a compliment.
Applauding yourself may be a key to appreciating any moment. Which will make it a lot easier to enjoy not only the present moment, but the moment when you do achieve those future goals!
“Meeting the Challenges of Today—the Best Preparation for Tomorrow.”
I have concluded that if we meet today’s problems with adequate preparation, there will be no need for panic preparation tomorrow.
... live each day as it comes, providently and righteously, there will be no need for drastic adjustments in preparation to meet future challenges.
Many ... problems exist today because we did not prepare yesterday.
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Gratitude is a state of appreciation, an act of thanksgiving, which causes us to be humble because we recognize an act of kindness, service, or caring from someone else which lifts us and strengthens us.
Ingratitude is the attitude of being unaware or not recognizing when someone has assisted us or helped us or, even worse, when we know we have been helped and have not given thanks privately or publicly.
Gratitude expressed to our Heavenly Father in prayer for what we have brings a calming peace—a peace which allows us to not canker our souls for what we don’t have. Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure. Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future. A recognition of and appreciation for our gifts and talents which have been given also allows us to acknowledge the need for help and assistance from the gifts and talents possessed by others.
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If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.
Of Things That Matter Most, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.
Of Things That Matter Most, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf