9 Strategies to Practice the Power of NOW! Rachel Devine
Being immersed in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future, has scientifically proven health benefits, and allows us to tap into the spiritual depths of the moment, which when you think about it, this moment is all we have. The past is an illusion that is gone and the future is not here yet, so this moment is all there is. When you think about it, each moment turns into hours, hours turn into days, days turn into months, and months turn into years, and before long we find we may have squandered our lives by not being present in the moment. It is important to take full advantage of our days and live in a state of happiness and fulfillment, or life can pass us by in a blink of an eye.
Let’s look at some ways of practicing the power of now in your life.
Being immersed in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future, has scientifically proven health benefits, and allows us to tap into the spiritual depths of the moment, which when you think about it, this moment is all we have. The past is an illusion that is gone and the future is not here yet, so this moment is all there is. When you think about it, each moment turns into hours, hours turn into days, days turn into months, and months turn into years, and before long we find we may have squandered our lives by not being present in the moment. It is important to take full advantage of our days and live in a state of happiness and fulfillment, or life can pass us by in a blink of an eye.
Let’s look at some ways of practicing the power of now in your life.
As Eckhart Tolle said, “Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed.”
Lowered Stress and Anxiety
Focusing on the present releases us from rumination about the past and fear of tomorrow, two major triggers of stress. Studies show mindfulness practices reduce psychological distress by over 20% by living in the present moment.
Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman explained, “The more you rest your attention in the present, the more you decrease anxiety, because anxiety is rooted in prediction of the future.” The future thoughts are usually rooted in worry.
Increased Happiness and Life Satisfaction
Attention directed away from constant inner chatter about the past and future and redirected onto fuller immersion in our present activities and experiences cultivates feelings of awe, contentment and flow. This boosts mood and overall happiness. Staying in the moment can bring much peace. You can also do mini-meditations on being in your happy place. Just think about a place you feel happy in and put yourself in that place in your mind and stay there for or 10 minutes. You can feel the present of the moment in this short positive visualization. It’s important to learn how to stop worrying and start living your life now.
Spiritual Connection
Almost all spiritual traditions teach that the doorway to the Divine, including Christ Consciousness, is only accessible in the eternal now, not the past or future. God can only be felt in this timeless moment of the present.
As Tolle said, “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” When we align fully with the now, spiritual bliss emerges.
Strategies for Living in the Now
Here are 9 research-based strategies for spending more time immersed in the richness of the present:
Practice regular mindfulness meditation, focusing senses on the body and breath
Yoga and movement practices synchronized with breath
Conscious walking noticing each step and sensation and your surroundings
Reminding yourself “come back to the now” when distracted
Single-tasking versus always doing multiple things
Slowing down and fully engaging your senses in eating, talking and being present
Finding peace in activities like music, prayer, and being still in the present
Noticing emotions and thoughts but not attaching narratives of worry and fear
Accepting life rather than resisting what this moment presents
The more we intentionally anchor into the moment, the more we can access its gifts of inner stability, wisdom, joy, peace, and spiritual connection. Return again and again to the serenity of this moment. When we live in this soulful moment, we can enjoy quality time with family and friends, and enjoy the enormous benefits of connecting to God.
Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and your purpose in life & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.
Please leave your ideas in the comments. I will answer any questions you may have. Please also feel free to contact me.
5 Ways to Get Out of a Rut - Live your Life with Intention - Rachel Devine
Far too often life becomes defined by mindless routine devoid of any deeper meaning or purpose. Picture life on a metaphoric hamster wheel, where the hamster runs furiously staying in the same spot. Or picture yourself on a treadmill, walking furiously, and not getting anywhere. I understand this concept of standing still, since I lived a lot of my life in that manner. In order to find true happiness, it’s important to live a life of intention.
Living with the power of intention and being guided by your core values, committing to mindful action, and defining a vision for yourself, will open the doorway to greater meaning, fulfillment and purpose in your life, which will reap much happiness and inner joy.
As motivational speaker Tony Robbins said, “Passion, without purpose, is meaningless.” Orienting your daily life around your passions and the impact you wish to have instills significance into even simple moments and tasks.
Far too often life becomes defined by mindless routine devoid of any deeper meaning or purpose. Picture life on a metaphoric hamster wheel, where the hamster runs furiously staying in the same spot. Or picture yourself on a treadmill, walking furiously, and not getting anywhere. I understand this concept of standing still, since I lived a lot of my life in that manner. In order to find true happiness, it’s important to live a life of intention.
Living with the power of intention and being guided by your core values, committing to a more meaningful life, and defining a vision for yourself, will open the doorway to greater meaning, fulfillment and purpose in your life, which will reap much happiness and inner joy.
As motivational speaker Tony Robbins said, “Passion, without purpose, is meaningless.” Orienting your daily life around your passions and the impact you wish to have instills significance into even simple moments and tasks.
Living by Design
Famous spiritual author Dr. Wayne Dyer wrote a book, The Power of Intention, that gives us a clear guide on living life on purpose. He advises that “Purposeful living requires making conscious choices and then fully accepting responsibility for your life circumstances.” Don’t settle for drifting through life on autopilot. Instead, make conscious deliberate choices aligned to what matters most to you.
Here are two more relevant, The Power of Intention quotes from Dr. Wayne Dyer:
"When your purpose is in alignment with the truth, you are filled with strength, enthusiasm, and compassion."
This quote emphasizes how living according to your true purpose fills you with energy and enthusiasm. A purpose aligned life feels right.
"Your natural state is to be loving, giving, compassionate, patient, and joyful. When you identify with the energy of intention, you'll find that this will be your everyday reality."
This quote suggests that intentionally manifesting a vision for a meaningful, purpose-driven life allows your natural state of love, compassion and joy to flow more freely through your everyday experiences.
In his book The Power of Intention, Dr. Wayne Dyer encourages readers to get in touch with their deepest desires and commit fully to manifesting them into reality through focused intention, Japa meditation, living in a loving state, and service. Aligning yourself to your authentic purpose is one of the keys to a life of meaning.
I recommend you build routines infused with practices like meditation, exercising your creativity, immersing yourself in nature, learning new skills, being of service to others, and spending quality time with loved ones. A schedule lacking meaning drains energy over time.
Staying Present Through Mindfulness
A crucial aspect of intentional living involves maintaining mindfulness by cultivating presence and focus. As Louise Hay said, “The past has absolutely nothing to do with the present moment. Only in this moment can you create your future.”
Stay rooted in the moment through paying attention to your senses, thoughts, and emotions, without judgment. Saying a prayer will put you right in the moment, as well as taking three deep breaths. Make regular tasks more mindful like, walking or eating with full intention. All you have to do is really pay full attention to the task at hand.
Manifesting Your Ideal Future
Begin with the end in mind and envision the personal, interpersonal, and professional goals you aim to achieve. Using the power of visualization, you can create your ideal future. It takes some practice, but it is worth the effort. The main focus is on what you want to manifest and then resonate with the feelings of already having what you want already in your world.
Neville Goddard tells us in his book, Feeling is the Secret, that the feelings are what manifest our dreams into reality. Therefore, as you fall asleep each night, put one picture in your mind of what you want to manifest in your future and fall asleep with resonating with the feelings of already having this goal already manifested in your life. You have the power to manifest your dreams into reality.
Key Benefits of Living Life with Intention
Increased happiness, life satisfaction, and self-esteem
Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression
Greater resilience and ability to cope with hardships
Improved cardiovascular and brain health
Higher quality and more supportive personal relationships
Deeper sense of meaning, internal coherence, and joy
Heightened motivation, drive, and energy
Purpose
Dr. Wayne Dyer was very clear on this statement regarding the power of intention.
“If you aren't doing what you love and loving what you do, your power of intention is weakened. You attract into your life more of the dissatisfaction that isn't the face of love. Consequently, more of what you don't love will appear in your life.”
Therefore, it’s crucial to do what you love doing, or find your purpose in life. The following three questions can help you determine what your purpose is:
What do you love doing?
Will it help humanity in some way?
Do you feel passionate about the purpose that has surfaced for you?
Whatever your answers are to these three questions will determine what your purpose in life is. Don’t let it sit in the recess of your mind and germinate like the hamster on the wheel of nowhere. Start doing what you love and see if you can make it part of your purpose in life.
In conclusion, reorienting your days around practices and interactions infused with purpose and presence unlocks your potential to live boldly by design. When how you spend your precious time and energy aligns with your deepest values, you will manifest your highest self and in turn bring much passion and joy into your life.
Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and your purpose in life & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.
What’s my purpose in life quiz?
Please leave your ideas in the comments. I will answer any questions you may have. Please also feel free to contact me.
5 Ways to Find Happiness, Peace & Purpose in a Broken World - Rachel Devine
Life can often feel busy, stressful and chaotic. On certain days, life can go in many directions, often finding yourself in a multitasking environment. With so many responsibilities and worries, it can be difficult to feel truly content, peaceful and happy on the inside. Chaos seems to be more of the order of the day, than calm. We come to a point where our life morphs from each moment, to an hour, to a day, to months and then years and before long when we look back we don’t see much meaning rather than our daily routine. However, there are many effective ways to cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and calmness in your daily life.
Life can often feel busy, stressful and chaotic. On certain days, life can go in many directions, often finding yourself in a multitasking environment. With so many responsibilities and worries, it can be difficult to feel truly content, peaceful and happy on the inside. Chaos seems to be more of the order of the day, than calm. We come to a point where our life morphs from each moment, to an hour, to a day, to months and then years and before long when we look back we don’t see much meaning rather than our daily routine. However, there are many effective ways to cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and calmness in your daily life.
Live in the Present
One of the most important keys to happiness is to live more fully in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Practice mindfulness by paying attention to the sights, sounds, sensations, and emotions you are experiencing right now. Studies show that mindfulness can reduce anxiety, improve focus and heighten enjoyment of life's little pleasures.
Set aside 10 minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breathing. When your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to the present. You may be surprised at how calm, clear and refreshed this makes you feel. Sitting quietly for 10 minutes can rejuevenate your whole day with peace.
Find Purpose and Meaning
Finding purpose and meaning is extremely rewarding. Identify causes, hobbies or volunteering opportunities that excite you and allow you to use your talents to make a difference in the world. Seeing how you positively impact others will give you a sense of significance. Whatever you love doing can be transformed to your purpose in life, as long as it benefits mankind in some way.
Look for meaning in small acts too - creating a beautiful meal for your family, playing a board game with your kids, or brightening a co-worker's day with a compliment. Even simple connections with family or friends can instill a sense of purpose.
One of my favorite quotes is from Harold Kushner.
“Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter, so that the world will be at least a little bit different for our having passed through it.”
You can also take, What’s my Purpose in Life Quiz? This quiz will help you determine your purpose in life.
Take Care of Your Body
Our physical health and mood are intricately connected. Make taking care of your body a priority. Try to eat a balanced, nutritious diet, drink enough water, get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly and exercise regularly. Consider adding mind-body practices like yoga, which lowers stress and induces calm. dWhen your physical health improves, your happiness does too.
Cultivate Gratitude
Practicing gratitude transforms pessimism into optimism and reminds you of the blessings in your life. You may adapt a more positive outlook. Make a daily list of at least five things you are grateful for - from your family to your pet canary to clean drinking water. Express thankfulness and appreciation to others often. Also, express that appreciation to others, by simply saying, thank you. This simple act keeps you focused on the bright side of life. A study from the Mayo Clinic on gratitude show positive results to our mental and physical wellness.
Meditation Practice
Daily meditation helps train your mind to tune into inner peace. Find a quiet space, get comfortable and close your eyes. Focus on your inhales and exhales for 10 minutes - if your mind wanders, gently return focus to your breath. Picture yourself in a place that makes you feel happy and just rest in this place for a few minutes. You have the choose to make meditation as deep as you want or as simple as you want. With regular practice, meditation reduces anxiety and negative self-talk while boosting self-awareness and attention. Meditation connects you to an inner core of calm and serenity that you can access anytime.
In conclusion, by intentionally living in the present, finding deeper meaning in your activities, taking care of your health, cultivating an attitude of gratitude and meditating, you can unlock sustainable happiness and inner peace. The daily habits that nurture your spiritual, mental and physical well-being will allow you to weather life's ups and downs with optimism, joy and tranquility.
Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack.
Please leave your comments or contact me with any questions.
How to be Happy when Depressed: 9 Ways to Boost Your Mood - Rachel Devine
When you're struggling with depression, happiness can feel elusive and unattainable. The emotional gloom of depression make it extremely challenging to find any joy. The question is, how to be happy when depressed? There are ways to incrementally improve your mood, even if overwhelmed by the darkness of depression. Implementing small positive changes and accessing support can help lift the fog of despondency bit by bit. Finding your own happiness, finding true happiness, can be achieved, even if you are feeling the blues. I will give you 8 ways to on how to feel happy again.
When you're struggling with depression, happiness can feel elusive and unattainable. The emotional gloom of depression make it extremely challenging to find any joy. The question is, how to be happy when depressed? There are ways to incrementally improve your mood, even if overwhelmed by the darkness of depression. Implementing small positive changes and accessing support can help lift the fog of despondency bit by bit. Finding your own happiness, finding true happiness, can be achieved, even if you are feeling the blues.
Let’s look at 9 ways to feel happy again.
Start Small
When depressed, even basic tasks can seem monumental. Just to get out of the house can seem like climbing a mountain. When thinking about getting something accomplished, introduce it in your mind as small incremental steps. Try to break down goals into tiny steps and celebrate small successes. Simply getting out of bed, showering, or eating a snack are accomplishments during depressive episodes. Keep focused on positive thoughts, forgoing the thoughts of ruminating with the depression itself. Appreciate any positive step forward. Feed your mind positive happiness quotes, that can help ease some of the darkness.
Track Your Progress
Journaling about your moods, diet, sleep patterns, and activities can reveal insights on factors impacting your happiness. Keep a journal to track what is happening in your day-to-day life. When you notice improvements, even minuscule ones, review your journal to determine what is helping. Awareness of what brightens your darkness points will steer you in the right direction.
Get a Support System
Speaking honestly about your struggles with a compassionate friend, family member, or mental health professional provides emotional relief. Feeling heard and understood is uplifting. Getting feedback can also motivate you to keep implementing changes. Ask loved ones to regularly check in on you. Additionally, there are groups out there that act as a community to help those with depression, like Emotions Anonymous, which is a 12-step program. You can meet new friends who have similar depression issues and have a support system of people to talk to.
Try Natural Mood Boosters
Some natural boosters are, being out in sunshine, exercise, music, comedy, uplifting books, pets, nature walks, prayer, yoga, healthy eating, and other relaxing hobbies enhance well-being. While not cure-alls, implementing mood-boosting activities repeatedly inspires consistent small boosts of endorphins, the hormone that helps improve your mood.
Social Connection
Loneliness and isolation feed depression. While being social feels difficult when depressed, finding ways to regularly connect and laugh with others provides mood relief, even if via a short phone call or texting with a friend. Shared joy is doubled joy. And sometimes we need to push ourselves a little bit to socialize when feeling down. It is said that a day out with a friend can be extremely beneficial.
Diet & Emotional well-being
According to this Harvard Medical School article, entitled diet & depression, diet plays a role on our mental state. Fruit, vegetables, whole grain, fish, olive oil, low-fat dairy and antioxidants help lower the risk of depression. From my own experience, sugar and carbohydrates cause inflammation, which in turn can bring on depression and pain in the body. The ideal diet of choice is the Mediterranean diet, which is also a heart healthy diet.
Get Professional Help
It is always suggested to contact a mental health expert regarding counseling, medication options, holistic remedies and lifestyle changes tailored to your symptoms. While not an instant fix, getting the right professional support empowers your ability to progress through the darkness in the healthiest way.
Practice Gratitude
When depressed, we primarily fixate on negatives which reinforces despair. Making an effort to notice and reflect upon any blessings, comforts, or simple pleasures cultivates gratitude. Countering negative tunnel vision with thankfulness, however small, generates light. Additionally, finding some purpose in your life, something you love doing like art, writing or a slew of other things, can help get out of the doldrums. You can transform your life with purpose.
Take it One Day at a Time with Prayer
View your situation as temporary and take one day at a time. This brings the situation down to size. Viewing every challenge through the lens of depression distorts obstacles to seem insurmountable. Tackle one step at a time, and one day at a time. Additionally, prayer is such a soulful way to bring hope into your world. Prayer is like shinning light on the darkness. You might want to also meditate on being in your happy place. Just sit and imagine yourself in the most perfect setting that brings a smile to your face. And celebrate any success, no matter how small. Remember depression often skews perception - with support and patience, the path ahead will open up. As they say, “This too shall pass.”
In conclusion, while depression cannot be instantly cured, implementing small changes with regularity can ease the sadness, and even bring some happy moments to your life. Social support, tracking progress, finding relief in simple joys, professional help, gratitude, prayer, and focusing on what’s going right, all let light gradually infuse the darkness. Have hope in the fact that at a certain point - you will feel better.
Suicide Hotline Phone Number 988 & Website
Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack.
Please leave your comments below or contact me.