no longer? If so, then do your best to live a life of responsibility, rather than ownership. Think to yourself now and then…
“I currently may possess this house, this relationship, this resource. Yet when it is no longer ‘mine,’ what will others know of me by those things I leave behind?”
Similarly, the ancient Greek statesman Pericles offered the following wisdom:
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
Just remember that the end goal is to lead by example, and to leave a positive legacy. Not so much to possess great things, but to demonstrate great character.
PRACTICE MINDFULNES
Mindfulness is a term used to describe the art of being totally aware and focused on your PRESENT self. The following parable explains this practice quite well:
On a perfect sunny day up in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, there were two neighbors, both of whom were out traveling the same magnificent trail, not knowing that the other was there.
As the first traveler walked, he thought about the many tasks that awaited him back at home. He stressed about what would happen if he got home too late. He judged the sun as too hot, and the wind as too cold. He hurried to the end of the rocky trail, and then hurried home to think about the mountains while he did other things.
The second traveler walked mindfully along the path. She noticed the majestic snow covered peaks, and the grassy green valley down below. She listened to the birds, and the rushing water of the rivers as they flowed by. She was thankful for the sun and wind just as they were, neither too hot or too cold. She took it all in, and then reflected on the entire journey when the beautiful trail ended. When she was ready, she went home to be there, and be present.
Interestingly, when the two travelers got home and were unpacking their gear in their driveways, they discussed the days events. “What did you do today?” asked the first traveler. “I had an amazing day on the most beautiful mountain,” said the second traveler “I feel so refreshed.” To which the first responded, “I sure wish I could have been there.”
-Travis Slone
I think the story speaks for itself as to the importance of practicing mindfulness each and every day. If you feel like you’re always in a rush, and that your mind is always somewhere different that your body, then learn and practice some of the many mindfulness exercises at your disposal through the internet and other resources. Doing so will help you to be where you are, and will familiarize you with your PRESENT self.
BECOME A PROBLEM SOLVER
We realize that not everyone who begins this journey is going to be happy or even content with the present as it is. That’s ok. We only ask that you lead by example and begin where you are by addressing each challenge with the goal of discovering a solution, not complaining.
As you will soon discover, this journey is about becoming the change that you wish to see in your home, workplace, or social group. It is about creating healthier solutions that bring you closer to your ideal FUTURE self, rather than merely spreading negativity.
Therefore, we offer the following basic challenge resolving steps. Consider using them as you encounter things that could perhaps be made different in positive ways:
1. Identify the challenge
2. Identify potential solutions
3. Select the healthiest solution
4. Take action (Implement the solution)
5. Re-evaluate the situation
This simple process can serve you well in many situations, and using it effectively will improve your ability to overcome various challenges. Just remember that while there are many solutions to each problem, not all solutions will bring you closer to your imagined FUTURE self. Be careful not to implement solutions that will make your situation worse in the end. Be smart, and as always, lead by example.
SUMMARY
As you aim to live in, and appreciate the present moment, it is important to take note of the little things in life... to pause and count your blessings if you will. Take time to treasure even that which has been gained with little effort, and those things that are nearest to us every day.
Use mindfulness to increase your awareness of life’s true abundance. Recognize opportunities for positive change, and then create that change using the problem solving steps that were discussed earlier.
You will find in time that your PRESENT self will always be good enough for now, and the PRESENT moment will always contain exactly what you need if you can truly just be there. Everywhere we go for instance, there is air to breath, opportunity to lead, and a chance to live by example. Be thankful, be present, and enjoy the journey.
THE TRAINING PLAN
Mission: Begin where you are.
Phase I:
Identify a current challenging situation in your life. Pick something you view as difficult because we will be using it throughout Phase I. What have you experienced in the past that might help you today? What advice might your future self offer?
Phase II:
Designate three sessions this week to complete the following exercises.
DAY ONE: If you relate well to music, then look up the song ‘A Letter to Me’ by Brad Paisley, and listen to the words. To begin, think about your past self for a minute or two. Consider zoning in on who you were during or prior to some major obstacle in your previous life. Perhaps you are still in the midst of that challenge. You can go back as far as you wish. Now, write a letter from your present self to your past self. Make it personal, and make it count. Would your past self have any useful words about who you are now? If so, what would he or she say? If you are willing and able, write the following statement in your journal, and then read it aloud, “I accept my past for what it has been. Today is an opportunity to improve my past, for my actions on this day will become my past tomorrow.”
DAY TWO: Think about your future self for a minute or two. What will you be like 12 weeks, 12 months, or 12 years from today if you continue on your current path? Now imagine you could change anything about the way you live starting with today (which you can), and the result would be your ideal future self. Now, write a letter from that future self to your present self. Provide advice, warning, assurance, or encouragement as your future self would deem necessary. Make it personal, and consider changes that you might make based on this exercise. How might your present self respond? Finally, If you are willing and able, write the following statement in your journal and then read it aloud, “What has yet to occur, cannot be taken from me. I will strive to live by example, and adapt myself in healthy ways to this ever-changing world.”
DAY THREE: Using the insights gained during the first two exercises, summarize your own life story up until today. Can you accept this as reality, and begin this journey from here? Are you satisfied with who you are, and the legacy you would leave if your life ended today? What changes would you like to make, if any? As we continue, keep your story in mind. Consider what might make your true story more interesting and inspiring to both yourself and others. Finally, put a reminder in your phone or on your calendar to come back and re-write the story once you have finished all three phases of this adventure. How you tell it, and how it ends, are up to you. Just keep it truthful, and be honest with yourself. Use what you have to create a story that you can be proud of.
Phase III:
First