We've all heard that saying, "Patience is a virtue". I just
recently noticed how impatient I used to be when I was younger. I
literally lived by the clock. I had my day planned out hour by
hour. I had to. With a full time job and going to school full time,
I never had time for anything else. And I was busy chasing a dream…
Now I don't believe in living by the clock. It took a long time for
me to get to this point. In an age where most people are in a rush
to get somewhere, I may be considered too laid back, or
even "abnormal". And so I wonder, how has most of society become so
impatient? Some people over schedule themselves and then there are
people who are just simply impatient. Then there are people who are
in a rush to get to the life that they have dreamed of. They won't
be happy until such and such happens. Having "the good life" is
contingent upon our dreams being fulfilled. I used to be that
person…
What some of us don't realize is that life begins now. The life that
we dream of living is already in the making. It is now. Somehow we
get caught up in what is missing in our lives. There is usually one
aspect of our lives that we don't particularly care for. Whether it
be your job, where you live, or your mate, we wish things could be
different. It may be that you are in that particular situation
because it is preparation for the next level of life. If you are in
a rush to get to that next level, you may be missing something that
is happening right now. It's good to have goals in life and dream of
a great future, however, don't get so caught up in the dream that you
lose the opportunity now to make memories for the future.
Here are some exercises to use when you feel that you are not living
in the "now":
Close your eyes and take three deep, long breaths. Focus on freeing
your mind of any thoughts. If a thought comes to mind, imagine
yourself blowing the thought away and it disappearing like a puff of
smoke. When you open your eyes you'll feel more relaxed and able to
focus.
Another exercise is to be used whenever you are in line at the
grocery store, bank, or wherever. When you feel yourself starting to
become impatient, stop and look around you. Usually there's someone
with a baby or small child in front or back of you. Just imagine
yourself as that child who is just living in the moment – taking in
all the surroundings and happy to just be.
You should spend no more than 20 minutes a day thinking about your
future, and you should never dwell on the past. Take your life back
and enjoy what it has to offer now. Life begins now…
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Maria Palma is a writer, visual artist, and real estate consultant
based in San Diego, California. She owns and manages two websites,
http://www.salondemaria.info and
http://www.homesolutionssandiego.com You can also read her blog at:
http://www.salondemaria.blogspot.com