Life in the present moment

  Recently, I read the book Slowing Down to the Speed of Life, How to Create a More Peaceful, Simpler Life from the Inside Out by Richard Carlson and Joseph Bailey.  I was looking for ways to enjoy life more and to minimize my reactions to stress.  The ideas in the book are simple and straightforward.  We basically have two different modes of thought: the processing/analytical mode and the free-flowing mode (some call it flow or being “in the zone”). The processing/analytical mode is great when we have problems needing to be solved, when we need to get organized and make plans, and when we have all the information needed to make a decision.  The problem is that we tend to overuse this mode and overthink things.  We get stuck on a problem when we only have a little information.  We think about how something made us feel and then exaggerate the feelings by trying to analyze and make sense of them. 

  The free-flowing mode is that wondrous state we get in when we lose track of time, get lost in the process, and forget about stresses and worries -- we’re just IN THE MOMENT.  We are all able to be in this mode and certain things help us access it more easily.  Surfing, running, and teaching are some examples where we can’t help but be in the moment.  Gardening, cooking, and hiking are things that help me get into this free-flowing mode and because of this, they are things I truly enjoy doing.

  The book explores these two different thinking modes and argues that all we have to do when we find ourselves stuck in the analytical mode is notice it.  “Oh, there I go again!” we should say to ourselves.  “Oh, I am trying to figure something out in my mind and I just don’t have enough information to do so.  I need to let it go for now.”  They suggest putting problems or challenges “on the back burner” -- let them simmer and await the answers.  They will come to you if you acknowledge you don’t currently know what to do.  They will come to you if you’re willing to relax, let go, and wait. 

  Many examples are given, including from the authors’ personal lives, to help illustrate their ideas.  The book also offers great suggestions to living a healthier, happier, and calmer life relating to your relationships, parenting, work, and leisure time.  While reading the book, I found myself doubting my own abilities to stop from overthinking or to be more in the present moment.  But I caught myself in the act of overthinking/over-analyzing and reminded myself “Hey!  You don’t have all the information.  You need to let this problem go until you know more.”  An example is that we’ve been considering adding extra security to our house.  We’ve considered adding iron bars to our front porch or enclosing the front porch with glass windows and a glass door, making it harder to access the front door.  On my neighborhood walks I’ve been taking note of what other neighbors have and seeing what I like or don’t like.  One day I caught myself thinking about it “windows or iron, windows or iron?” and on and on, until I remembered the book and applied the ideas.  I didn’t have enough information.  I had yet to inquire with contractors.  I didn’t yet know what was possible.  I was getting ahead of myself with my thinking.  And with that I was able to go on and enjoy my walk.  I made a choice to let go of my repeated and unnecessary thoughts.

  The idea of living in the moment and being in the present is not a new one and Slowing down to the Speed of Life is not the first book to write about it.  It is a GREAT idea.  Unfortunately, our society and western lifestyle don’t encourage it.  We argue about what happened yesterday and we worry about what will happen tomorrow. 

  To minimize your stress level and help you live a healthy life, it’s important to do things that help you live more in the moment.  Journal writing can help you get into this free thinking mode, especially if you let your thoughts go and just write.  Positive affirmations are useful when you catch yourself in negative thought patterns.  You can repeat your favorite affirmation over and over again in your mind or by writing it on paper until you are able to let go of those negative thoughts you were caught in.  When using creative visualization, you can do things to help you get into the flow, like meditating, lighting a candle, or concentrating on a positive image. 

  Living in the present is a way of life worth living.  We all want to live healthy happy lives.  Slowing Down to the Speed of Life helps us make the connection to being in the present with being happy and feeling good.

What things do you do to help you get in the 

free-flowing mode and live life in the present moment?