The Perfect Present: Using Your Five Senses to Live in the Moment
Copyright 2005 Vivian Banta
"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift - that is why we call it the present." Author unknown
How much of your life is lost either dwelling on the past or worrying about the future? When your thoughts are imprisoned by the past or fearful of the future, you can miss out on one of life's greatest gifts: that which is happening today and indeed this very moment.
The reality is that when you are yearning for yesterday and either tempted or terrified by tomorrow, your ability to move forward will be confined by your inability to make the most of today. The key to throwing off your shackles is to put your effort into the present moment.
Not only will you reap the rewards of enjoying a new awareness of everything around you, but also you will have a healthy and positive place from which to move forward in a constructive and fulfilling way.
Utilizing the five senses, here a few simple examples of how you can practice "being present" or "living in the moment": 1.
Touch As you go about your daily activities, be mindful of the texture, temperature and feel of things.
Start with your clothing.
Are you wearing a pressed cotton shirt, velour jogging suit or rugged denim jeans?
What about your work environment?
Is your desk made of slick, smooth laminate or rough wood?
2. Taste When you eat your meals today, chew slowly and savor each bite.
What different flavors do you encounter?
What feelings, associations and memories arise from the various tastes?
Do you have enough variety or are the tastes almost bland because of their familiarity?
Which taste is your favorite one of today? 3.
See Actively notice things in your environment.
As you drive to work or are out on errands, do you see anything new?
Perhaps a new shop has opened or flowers are in bloom along the highway.
Investigate the range of colors.
Instead of thinking that something is "blue", narrow it down.
Is it a deep navy blue or a tropical turquoise? 4.
Smell Aside from the obvious things you normally smell like your food or the perfume/cologne you wear, try to observe the scent of other things.
And no, not just the roses!
If you are mowing the lawn, really take in the scent of the fresh cut grass or the earthy soil.
If you are washing the dishes, notice the smell of the dishwashing liquid.
Do you like it or is it time for something different? 5. Hear When you are interacting with others today, give them your undivided attention: don't interrupt and listen attentively before you speak.
Listen also to the background noise of your life.
Can you hear birdsong?
How many types can you make out?
When you step outside, do you hear the children playing next door or the dog barking down the street?
How do you feel when you hear these sounds?
What is the most pleasant sound of the day?
Awareness of the present moment will make you feel in control of your life.
Of course, learning from our mistakes, reminiscing over the past or planning for the future all have their places but after you've done so, let these thoughts go. Today is what really matters, irrespective of how imperfect it might seem and it is your attitude towards today which counts. You may have little control over things today but one thing is certain.
you can choose and control your attitude towards today.
Enjoy the present moment then without dwelling on earlier or later, yesterday or tomorrow, past or future. Be mindful of the gathering storm of your thoughts if they carry you away to another time frame under a cloud of pessimism. Quell the storm by reining in your mind and your actions back to the "perfect present" and the world will open up to you with all of today's wonderful opportunities.
.
Are you ready to plant your heart in the garden of your dreams?
Find out how by visiting her website at http://gardenofsenses.com or e-mail her at coach@gardenofsenses.com to schedule a free, 30-minute personal coaching session.
Ever wanted to make your own Themed Gift Baskets?
If you've always wanted to know how to make your own gift baskets, this article will give you some tips to get started.
Gift baskets are such a wonderful gift and can be given for any occasion. Creating personalized themed gift baskets is a great gift to give that someone special.
Gift Baskets are easy to make and a joy to give. When creating a themed gift basket, don't limit yourself as to the type of basket that you can create.
It can be something simple and small, homemade or lots of great goodies that make a really beautiful gift basket.Here are some unique themed gift basket ideas for children, teenagers and parents: Teenaged Girls Gift BasketFind a small to medium sized basket and line the basket with pink tissue paper or raffia grass.
Buy a sampler pack of flavored lip glosses, powders, lotions, a makeup kit and a light sporty fragrance and artistically arrange.
Don't forget bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, and necklaces....
Perfume > Ever wanted to make your own Themed Gift Baskets?
Easy Work from Home Ideas Using the Internet and Still Have Plenty of Time for Your Kids
The kids are at a stage when they need you and you want to stay at home. So, you are looking for easy work from home ideas that will help you earn money. Easy work from home ideas are floating all over the internet but you have to be careful not to get scammed. Here you will find number of legitimate and easy work from home ideas which will help you make decent money.
The easy work from home ideas given here can help you start earning money right away, even if you do not currently own a homepage, or have no clue about internet marketing.
- eBay Business
Do you have a lot of old unwanted things? Why not sell them on eBay and make some extra money. If you need to make more profit by selling a wide variety of products, here's how you can find products for reselling on eBay:
1. Buy from flea market
2. Deal with wholesaler or drop ship wholesaler
- Virtual Assistant
One of the best easy to work from...
Perfume > Easy Work from Home Ideas Using the Internet and Still Have Plenty of Time for Your Kids
Save Gas Shopping Online Saves Consumers Lots of Time and Money
(ContentDesk) September 10, 2005 -- With rising gas prices, spending time running from store to store can be expensive.
Many shoppers are turning to shopping online to save time and money on a variety of goods and services.
Even all of the big store chains will sell stuff online.
However, some of the best bargains can be had from the smaller, online entrepreneur who has set up shop in a quest for independence.
One such store, TedWorx.com (www.tedworx.com), offers a large variety of goods ranging from car parts to pet supplies, popular electronics to perfume.
TedWorx.com will even guide you to how you can set up your own store.Listing itself as an "Online Discount Mercantile", TedWorx.com fancies itself a modern day general store with its numerous offerings.
Why waste time (and gasoline) going from store to store in an attempt to find the products you are looking for are just a click away.
In a visit to the TedWorx.com website,...
Perfume > Save Gas Shopping Online Saves Consumers Lots of Time and Money
How To Clean Your House In Hurry
You're lying on the couch in your living room, in one of your husband's old t-shirts and a pair of baggie sweatpants, watching last night's taped episode of Desperate Housewives, when suddenly - the phone rings. You don't recognize the number on caller ID and you make the mistake of answering it. It's your long lost best friend from the sixth grade. She's in town and she just happens to be in your neighborhood. She'll be over in 10 minutes, and your house is a MESS.So, how do you clean up for unexpected guests in 10 minutes or less?!1.
Stay calm!2. Do a clean sweep. Grab a trash bag or laundry basket and gather up everything that is lying around that shouldn't be, and throw it into the bag. Hide the bag.3. Plump up pillows on couches and chairs in living room, fold blankets.
Give each cushion a swat for crumbs.4. Stack mail, newspapers and magazines in a nice, neat pile. Stick the pile in a corner or on a kitchen chair.5. Give the bathroom a speedy sprucing up! Wipe out...
How To Clean Your House In Hurry
Perfume > How To Clean Your House In Hurry
How to Buy Perfume
Shopping for perfumes or personal fragrances can be a daunting task, particularly if it's for a friend or lover. Obviously online at Myshopping.com.au you cannot compare the actual scent of different fragrances. But, once you have a fairly good idea of what you are looking for, you can compare the different offerings from different brands and vendors very easily. So, how do you know what you are looking for? The following simple steps will narrow the search down somewhat.
Fragrance & PerfumeThe fragrance must suit the personality
The essential oils of a perfume react differently with each different person. Some perfumes are more suited to some personalities than others, and some perfumes are gregarious, others are more reserved.
Your choice needs to suit the wearer's attitude as well as demeanour, as well as reflect the status of your relationship with the wearer. For example, you wouldn't buy the same fragrance for your mother as you would for a...
How to Buy Perfume
Perfume > How to Buy Perfume
Is Your Water Safe To Drink?
When people talk about nutrition, they usually overlook a very important nutrient necessary for good health.
WATER!
That's mostly because we've taken both for granted for thousands of years. Water has been mostly good for us up until only a relatively few years ago. That's all changed now, and we definitely need to think again, as it's getting much worse, almost daily.
It's usually recommended that we each drink 64 ounces of water per day - that's 8 each 8 ounce glasses (full) every day.
Actually, the better recommendation for good health is 1 gallon per 50 pounds of body weight.
Few of us ever get even those minimum 8 glasses per day.
According to one study, about 4/5ths of all adults do NOT get even this minimum.
The majority of adults in the US are borderline dehydrated.
Did you know that many deaths in nursing homes are actually caused by dehydration?
Dehydration of the frontal lobes is a major...
Perfume > Is Your Water Safe To Drink?
Mosquitoes in Your Garden? Try Planting These!
If you are a serious gardener, you spend lots of time outdoors. And, for sure, you would rather be tending your plants than swatting mosquitoes. While there are many things you can do to keep mosquitoes away, there are some plants that will beautify your yard and help repel mosquitoes. As one more way to keep mosquitoes away from you and your yard, try planting these attractive plants. HORSEMINTHorsemint has a scent similar to citronella.
Horsemint grows wild in most of the Eastern United States, from Mexico, Texas up to Minnesota to Vermont. It is partial to sandy soils and will grow in USDA Zones 5-10. Native Americans used it as a treatment for colds and flu. It has natural fungicidal and bacterial retardant properties because it's essential oils are high in thymol.ROSEMARYThis wonderful herb we use for seasoning is also a great, natural mosquito repellant. It has been used for centuries to keep pesky mosquitoes away.
Rosemary is a native of the Mediterranean, so it...
Mosquitoes in Your Garden? Try Planting These!
Perfume > Mosquitoes in Your Garden? Try Planting These!