The Easiest Way to Stay Present

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.”

–Amelia Earhart

I hope you are feeling inspired and tenacious today.
I have come to realize that my approach to health and helping people has had a glitch in it for a long time. This glitch came about organically and there is no one to blame. If there is a culprit it is our cultures addiction to convenience.
So, imagine you have my job for a minute. Your job is to help people take a bad situation and help make it less bad. Sometimes you get to help people get completely better and you may get to, occasionally help someone win an athletic event. I love practicing medicine, but honestly the whole ‘less bad’ mindset is the biggest problem out there. Health is a choice. It is basically a decision between two things; do you want to see what you can get away with or do you want to get into the best shape of your life? I have decided that this glitch is going to change. We all have to start with less bad, but I don’t want you or I to stop there.
Changing our lives takes a lot of our energy and adaptability, which uses up our attention. And attention is at a high premium today. Here is a chance to check in with how free your attention is. Find a nice place and sit still for at least 5 minutes. Actively relax any tension in your body and become as still as you can. It is worth it.
When was the last time you were completely still for 5 minutes?
When was the last time you went dancing?
How many hours a day do you spend in a chair trying to stay focused?
It takes a lot of energy to adapt to and to learn new responses and new tools. And the big time thief of energy and time is distraction. For most people, distraction is the last rope that is holding them back from their health and life goals. It is true. The opposite of distraction is the beginning of almost every success story.
The opposite of distraction is being able to guide your attention. Imagine navigating life like a sailor at sea, or stalking like a hunting predator. What about singing like a rock star or finally achieving a fitness goal?
So, here is the hard part. How are you going to bring your attention back to the moment? Again and again – maybe forever.
It takes practice…
And have I got a good one for you. The practice is simple. You just have to stay aware of your posture and breath as much as you can. For hours. If you forget and get distracted (it happens), just come back home to your posture and breath.
As you are walking, sitting, working, dancing or driving, just pay attention to how upright your posture is and how collapsed your posture is. It is a bit like a game of balance. Explore upright and collapsed, have fun and dance a little with gravity.
I admit you will have to be a bit obsessed about this practice to gain the strength and endurance necessary to feel all the life-changing benefits. I check in at least every hour.
How much up and how much down do you feel? Take a moment to check in with your body.
What does more up feel like and what does too much down feel like? Play with it.
Are you breathing deeply or shallowly?
It is tools like this that can keep you stay present and feel energized. I thought I would share one of the essential Do’s that help everyone feel more alive. Who doesn’t want that?
“Always approach your mind with a good posture” – Me
Be Present, Be Well and Be Amazing,
Michael
PS. If you are looking for a simple and effective meditation practice, click here…