Last week, I ran into an actor friend of mine who seemed discouraged about his future. I’ve seen this friend’s work, and I can tell he was born for the big screen. I know that he has the drive, professionalism and dedication to make it. But I also know that acting is one of the hardest professions one can pursue, and that it comes with a great deal of rejection and waiting.
As I drove home, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I wished I had stayed longer to reassure him that doubts and fears are part of the journey when pursuing our passion. I wished I had reminded him that he has the courage and perseverance to reach his dreams — and that life is not about reaching the peak of the mountain, but about about living in the moment and embracing the journey.
Today I want to talk about savoring the present, and enjoying the process. You’ll need courage and perseverance to achieve your dreams, but patience and surrender will take you places you never knew existed. Here are four tips to help you live in the present moment and enjoy the journey on the way to reaching your own mountain peak.
Life gives you plenty of time to do whatever you want to do, if you stay in the present moment.
Can you relate to moving from project to project and never savoring the moment? I can. I’m guilty of not having finished with a workshop or presentation before I’m already focusing on the next one. So I have decided now to focus on each project as if they were my babies. I must give all my love and dedication to each one of them, and not want to be anywhere else. I have learned to breathe, relax and release all the worries and fears that may show up. You need to realize that when you relax and breathe you open the door for more positive and prosperous things to come into your life. So take a deep breath, relax and focus on one task, and one moment, at a time.
One of my biggest challenges has always been to stop multitasking. Multitasking does not help with being present. Focus on what you are doing in the moment by telling yourself what you are doing. For example, when you brush your teeth tell yourself, “I am brushing my teeth.” It sounds silly, but that will get you back in the moment. Another suggestion is to do things more slowly. For this you must know how to manage your time. So, you may need to get up a little earlier to be able to fully benefit from this. But you’ll find that the reward of being able to live in the present and savor every moment is a true gift.
Take action in pursuing your dreams and goals, but then stop worrying and go with the flow! It’s important to plan and prepare, but the reality is that things don’t always happen the way you want them to. Sometimes things work out better than you planned! Go with the flow and make the best of every situation. When you go with the flow you are not giving up on your goals or dreams, you are simply trusting that the universe may have a bigger and better plan for you. Relax and surrender, because what you are seeking is also seeking you!
Looking to the past and wanting to change it is damaging to your self-esteem. Always projecting to your future and wanting to get there is damaging to your soul, because it takes you away from the present. This does not mean we don’t think about our goals and dreams. What it means is that we don’t think about them all the time! What I suggest is to put aside some daily time for daydreaming. Dedicate 15-20 minutes a day to visualizing the person you want to become. Feel it, smell it, and it shall be! But remember to always come back and be grateful for all the amazing things in your life.
There are those times in our journey when we feel that we are never going to get to the peak of the mountain. We fail to live in the moment and project ourselves at that peak, and get disappointed when we come crashing down to reality. The truth is that you will get to your destination if you have the dedication and perseverance. But while you are on this path, why not enjoy the present?
Look around you. There are so many wonderful things to be grateful for! Never lose sight of your dreams and goals, but always stay present and cherish every moment along the way. Believe. Change. Become!