Life And Happiness: Embrace The Present

There’s almost nobody alive who doesn’t regret something they’ve done. That’s simply a fact of life. Even if the regret stems from something that happened years ago, we tend to hold onto those feelings and wish we could change the past.

You can’t travel back in time to change mistakes, but you can learn from mistakes and move forward.

One of the best ways to let go of the past is to live in the present. Focusing on today can release your need for perfection and make peace with your past. (Think dogs and kids. They are always present, in the moment, and enjoying life.)

Focusing on today is the only way to free yourself from holding grudges toward people or situations from the past. By living in the moment and not worrying about the past or the future, you can live your best life. But that’s easier said than done.

Here’s some ideas for how you can embrace the present for more happiness:

• Decide what you want. One of the biggest reasons for living in regret is not knowing what you want. It’s easy to put off deciding what you want for fear of commitment. You can’t start living in the present if you don’t know what you want. Make a list of what you want and commit to following through. Thinking about what you want — instead of regretting the past — will help you focus more on the present.
  
  
• Discover your underlying fears. Making decisions from a place of fear makes it easy to get stuck in regret. There are many ways to express fear, but what’s common to all is that we have difficulty accepting our faults and limitations. Start examining your fears if you want to be less caught up in regret. Some excuses, like lack of time to pursue a goal or not meeting the right people, may stem from something much more profound. Uncovering the root of your fears means learning to accept them. Once you do that, you’ll be in a much more positive mental space.
  
  
• Go with the flow. We all get in a rut from time to time. We may think we know what we want, but we get stuck in the same old routine. The result is living in the past — rehashing past mistakes and feeling miserable. That’s pointless. The past is the past, and the future is a mystery. What do you have control over? Your present moment. Going with the flow doesn’t mean facing life without a plan. It means letting go of the need to control everything.
  
  
• Make time for your friends and loved ones. Everyone has a limited amount of time to give to loved ones. Use it wisely. Say no to unnecessary activities and projects. Stay away from those who drain your energy, and share your time with those who need it. We live in a world where social media and technology rule our lives. These have a negative psychological effect on us. Don’t be a slave to technology. Take a break from social media.
  
  
• Don’t allow the negative voices in your head to overshadow the positive ones. Be grateful for what you have and let go of anything that’s not serving you positively.
  
  

Living in the past or living in regret is something we all do. If you’ve let regrets get the better of you, it’s time to change. There are many ways to live your best life; one is by making peace with your past and embracing the present. You may find you need professional help.

If you do, find somebody who can help you through this process so you can let go and start experiencing more happiness.

Mark Twain said, “I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.”

It’s time we pay attention, stop worrying or having regrets, and start feeling happier and more joyful.

Are you ready to ramp up your own joy and happiness?

Book a call with me today, and let’s talk.