Getting Back to the Present

During the day we experience a vast array of emotions. Some may feel pleasant and others may make us miserable and stressed. It’s often a negative thought that brings about our unpleasant emotions. The following exercise can be used on a daily basis to alleviate negative thoughts in your mind and bring yourself back into the present, where you will be able to enjoy your work, your conversations, your lunch, your family, your friends and everything else you experience in each moment. The future may be uncertain, but remember—Maybe it will be good or Maybe it will get better. So enjoy the present. It is the true gift of life!

1.  When you become aware that your emotions are negative during the day, whether you feel anxiety, stress, anger or sadness, ask yourself what is this particular emotion really about.  Is it related to something that happened at work or a fight with a loved one? Is someone that you love ill? Try to find the source of the emotions that you are experiencing.

2.  Now ask yourself the following. Are your emotions negative in the moment because you fear that what you are experiencing will never change or get better?  Are your emotions negative because you are afraid that what is happening today will lead to an unhappy or unwanted result in the future?

3.  Now ask yourself: Is it at all possible that Maybe things can work out differently than you are projecting?  Whether you think in this moment the answer is yes or no, close your eyes and just take a deep breath in and think to yourself, “Maybe there are possibilities out there that will help me change these circumstances.”  Now, breathe out and think to yourself, “Maybe things will change and Maybe they will get better.“  Continue with this for a few minutes. Now continue to keep your eyes closed as you breathe slowly and try to feel the thought of Maybe in your entire body.

As you do this exercise, you will start to sit more comfortably in the moment knowing that the future can unfold in many ways and Maybe not turn out as negatively as you imagined.

Just, Maybe.