Posted by Bob - the Alien on August 08, 2002 at 21:09:09:
In Reply to: Re: more pedestrian, exactly posted by kat on August 08, 2002 at 19:14:36:
"Someone tell me how to live in this moment and not in tomorrow or even five minutes from now."
This may be a rhetorical question, neh?
Nevertheless, I have my own personal answers to this question:
1) The TV Issue -- Turn on the TV only if you truly want to see something. Never just because it is there or there is nothing else going on. Never arrange ANYTHING in your life around wanting to see something on TV. On the contrary, if you catch yourself wanting to go home or stay home to see something, deliberately go do something else. I do watch TV occasionally. But always as a deliberate choice and with an awareness that I am doing so. (And I don't have cable.)
2) Embrace life by contemplating death -- You have a very different perspective on the importance of your actions. Its a standard question: If you were to die tomorrow, what would you do tonight? Live every day and night by your answer to that question. Die without regrets and with as little wasted time as possible. Life is precious. Enjoy it, embrace it, revel in it.
3) Reflect on everything -- I've been an obnoxious person many times in my life. I've had people hate me. I've hurt people. I've offended people. But I try to be better every day. I spend some time every single day reflecting on who I am, where my life is, how I can improve it both on a personal level, and how I can improve my interactions with people to improve their lives. When I reach a conclusion on any of these issue, I try to maintain an awareness of that issue and actively change for the better. Its hard, because you are breaking old habits and replacing them with new ones. But over the 10 years that this has been an active practice in my life, I have noticed a profound difference.
How does this help with living in the moment? Make that your first issue that you consciously and mindful of and work on it.
4) Don't take anything too seriously -- Life may or may not be intended to be fun. But its good to make it so when you can. Don't let your problems get you down. Look for solutions instead of focusing on the problem. When others hurt you, let it slide away, and give instant and sincere forgiveness. And don't even take being a 'better' person too seriously. You even have to let go of your attempts at self-improvement and growth at times and just cut loose.
5) Eat food that makes you wiggle with pleasure -- Ok, maybe this one is just me. But hey, whatever works, right?
With Love,
Bob