Copyright © 2021 Lee Spirit

“Living in the now” means that we are not dwelling on our past, or worrying about the future. We are right here, right now, breathing, and feeling the sensations in our bodies. We are aware of our thoughts and feelings, and of everything around us, like these beautiful flowers I noticed on my walk the other day.

Once you get into present-moment awareness, it feels quite amazing! Your energetic vibrations are raised, and you have new, clear space in your mind. You start magnetizing the ideal events, people, and circumstances that you have envisioned for yourself.

However, getting into this beautiful space takes some work. The journey to peace of mind often involves some uncomfortable emotions and things we’d rather not face about ourselves. This is why we need to develop our kindness and compassion, for ourselves first, and then for others.

Living in the Now By Allowing Our Feelings

Sometimes life can get messy, and that’s when we feel these uncomfortable emotions. The mess lives in our minds, and we get caught up in the drama. We start feeling things associated with those thoughts, and oftentimes we try to push those negative thoughts and their associated feelings down and away. We don’t want to deal with stress, anxiety, anger, guilt, or shame. So we repress them, which only leads to them resurfacing with even greater force.

An amazing thing happens when we just allow ourselves to feel what we feel, even these nasty, ugly thoughts swirling around. If we are conscious of our thoughts, and allow them, no matter how debilitating they may be, we give them space to pass through us. This can be a very healing experience, to feel the grief, witness it, and just allow it.

Allowing whatever is in the present moment for us, even when it’s painful or unpleasant, helps to bring us to a place of neutrality – a relaxed, calm space. When we find that sweet spot, we are more balanced in all of our energy centres, and our magnetism increases. We then attract more of what we want into our lives rather than what we don’t want.

The Power of Living in the Now

Know Who You Really Are

Attracting more of what we want does not happen by going about our days blindly: Rushing around, on a tight schedule, getting breakfast for the kids before going to school, working hard on our projects, exercising, making dinner, and so on. One day turns into the next day, and soon enough, we’ve spent our whole lives never really taking the time or space to get to know ourselves and who we really are.

Slow Down & Notice

The beauty of slowing down is that we can get to know who we really are. We notice our own breath like the breath of the wind, the colours and shapes of the flowers in Spring, the crystals of the snowflakes, or the scent of the rain…It all seems so simple, yet there’s so much power in the simplicity.

Noticing things in great detail takes our minds off our troubles and puts us in that more relaxed space. The yogis refer to this space as “Shuniya” – a state of awareness where the mind comes to a point of neutral harmony. This space brings a peaceful presence to everything we do, and where we find the answers to who we truly are.

Be Kind & Compassionate

Out of this new knowing of ourselves, we arrive in the beautiful space of the heart, where kindness and compassion live. Once we’ve allowed our feelings to pass through, we can give ourselves the love and tenderness that we would give our own child. Perhaps you have a self-defeating thought like, “I’m such an idiot for saying that”. Would you tell your child she’s an idiot for saying something? Not likely. So then why do you speak to yourself that way? Comfort your inner child, and shower her with love, attention, kindness, and compassion. This will recover her self-worth, and praise her authenticity for saying what was true.

Gain Clarity & Wisdom

Living in the now brings us into that space of kindness, compassion, and Shuniya. In this space, we suddenly have clarity around things we couldn’t figure out in our minds before. When the mind is full, busy, and cluttered, we often can’t think clearly, can’t make a decision, or don’t know what to do about a situation. Clearing our central channels, often through meditation and yoga, or being out in nature opens a space of presence where the answers just come to us in moments of “Ah-ha!”

From here, our new clarity gives us the wisdom to make decisions based on what is true for us in our hearts and souls. If we get off track, it’s easier to shift our direction, and move towards something more in line with who we are or what we want.

Become More Connected

When we’re living in the now, this clarity and wisdom makes us feel more connected to everything that is important to us. We’re more connected to nature, to ourselves, to others we’re in relationships with, and to our own wellbeing, joy, and happiness in life. We’re also more connected with the parts of ourselves that aren’t so pleasant. We start to recognize our own suffering, and thereby recognize the suffering of others. Through empathy, we become more connected with what others around us are going through. We may even have more of a desire to help others get through their pain, grief, or suffering through the kindness and compassion that we’ve already cultivated within ourselves.

Recognizing That We are Not Broken

Living in the now, with present-moment awareness, helps us recognize that we all suffer in some form or another at some point in our lives. When we accept this, we come to an inner knowing that we are not broken. In fact, we know that we are going to be okay, even if it takes a little work to find our happiness again. Reconnecting with nature, friends, and finding humour in difficult situations can bring relief. We discover that our joy and creativity can be restored.

Cultivating Kindness

Sometimes getting to this place of presence and aliveness in our souls isn’t all that easy. If you find yourself in that place of being stuck and not feeling so good, start by focusing on others instead of yourself. Think about someone else’s needs instead of your own. There are countless people who very seldom receive any kindness or thoughtful treatment; Many who need to know they matter to someone; Many who need to know someone cares. You can make a difference to others, and lift your own spirits too!

I love the story in my city of an elderly woman who decided she wanted to help others during the pandemic in the only way she could. One day she waved at a bus driver who smiled and waved back. Then she waved at some people in cars, who also waved back. She decided to be a lighthouse for others, and she has become an internet and news sensation. People call her by name, and say how much they appreciate her smile and kindness!

Read more here about how to cultivate and share kindness and compassion with others through your own Self-Care.

Living in the Now and Offering Kindness

Here are a few other things you can do to cultivate kindness and compassion towards others:

1. Everyone needs a friend. Even you. Spend an afternoon with someone you know is lonely, and don’t make it just a one-time visit. Become a lifeline for just that one person.

2. Find a child who needs to know they matter – Unfortunately, there are way too many of them. Make this child know that someone believes they are special. Build their self-confidence and inspire them to be all they can be. Most of all, let them know you care. Imagine how much it means to feel special – especially to a child who seldom receives any kindness, small gifts, or hugs.

3. Share flowers or vegetables from your garden. Take some to an elderly neighbour who can no longer garden. Take some to a friend going through a hard time. Drop them off at a neighbour’s house “just because”.

Just One Small Act

Many of the bad things happening in our world are done by people who never believed they mattered. No one took the time to show kindness or let them know they are special. Just one small act – Changing a person’s anger and sadness with your love – can have a far-reaching impact!

Living in the now begins with our own self-knowledge. Knowing our thoughts, feelings, and sensations – both high vibe, and low vibe. Through this knowledge, we can cultivate self-compassion, and kindness to ourselves. When our hearts are open and full, we can then extend our wisdom, and love to others.

Lee Spirit is an avid outdoors adventurer with a love for nature, photography, health & fitness, wellness, and spirituality. Her own personal journey has led her to the  study and practice of mindfulness, health, wellness, yoga, spirituality, sound healing, meditation, and personal development for over 20 years. Get Lee’s Free ‘Natural Mind Healing’ Report and cultivate more presence, kindness, and compassion in your life!