Embrace the Present -- How to Create a Happy & Authentic Life (Part 2 of 7)

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Shannon Short, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

You need to get clear about who you are and what you want in life, and if you have no clue, start by getting curious.

In my article “7 Steps to Creating a Happy & Authentic Life,” we talked about what it means to Get Real and introduced the 7 Simple Truths for Getting Real & Staying Real as the foundation for creating a happy and authentic life. In this follow-up series, we will unwrap each of the 7 Simple Truths for Getting Real & Staying Real and share ideas about how to implement the truths to create a happy and authentic life.

The opening quote above reminds us that Getting Real starts with Simple Truth #1: Get Clear. Now, let’s see what we can learn from the second of the 7 Simple Truths for Getting Real & Staying Real to create a solid foundation for a happy and authentic life.

Simple Truth #2: Embrace the Present

To embrace the present is to become an active and conscious participant in your life and what is happening in that life TODAY. It is to live in purpose and on purpose, right now.

Sure, you want to be aware of the future and to consider your future in the choices you make today, but make your present, what is right in front of you on this day — each day, the priority of your attention.

My life coach said to me once, “If every choice you make throughout each day is authentic to your truest self, then do you really have to worry about tomorrow? Won’t it just work itself out?” Wow. Now, that is one to live by.

Be true in the present and tomorrow will take care of itself

Practice being really present, fully present in all of aspects of your life. Choose things today that are authentic to you and make you happy and fulfilled. Choose things today that meet your needs and allow you to thrive in the present moment.

Be conscious of how you are living, how you are choosing to use your time. Live intentionally in every moment, paying special attention to the gifts of the life that is right in front of you. Try engaging all of your senses as you walk to class or go for a run, or even when you watch TV with your roommates or study?

Here are a few clues that you are NOT embracing your present. You are:

•Simply existing or “getting by”
•Living for the weekend, wishing the week would hurry past
•Already dreading Monday and it is only Friday

Your present just may be escaping you… and taking your life with it

Stop whisking your life away as if it is a pest and get in the game. Choose activities and a direction in your life where you can get excited about the life that is right in front of you.

And when you can’t choose what is happening in your present, choose to stay present anyway. Remember, you can find something positive in almost every situation if you are willing to look closely enough.

So put on your rose-colored glasses, and go find your silver lining.Then, count your blessings, smile and pinch yourself to remind you that you are still here — right here.

Note to reader: I would love to hear your thoughts about whether or not you are really living in and appreciating this very present present. If you are not, yet, share some ideas of how you plan to start.
-——————————————————————————————————————————————
Shannon Short is a life coach, speaker and author, and is the founder of SPARK! Coaching and Girls Get Real. Shannon helps individuals embrace their truth and ignite their life through a raised self-awareness and new perspective on life. Girls Get Real was created to meet the unique needs of college girls as they prepare for adulthood and the “real” world.

For a free email series on how to implement the 7 Simple Truths into your life, visit http://www.girlsgetreal.com.

For information about coaching services, please visit http://www.thesparkcoach.com. A Free 15-minute consultation is available through SPARK! Coaching for individuals who are interested in exploring coaching.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Short