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“We’re born, we die, and in the middle, there’s life. In the middle is that dash.”
This quote from Eric Handler’s TEDx speech, hit me right to the core. We’ve all been told to “live in the moment,” but the way Eric framed it makes it crystal clear that those moments are life. Those experiences, feelings, joys, loses string together into that dash between cradle and grave. The more we can focus on those moments, the more we “live in the dash,” the happier and fuller we’ll be.
Great news, right? All we have to do is live in the moment and fulfillment is ours. It is those simple things that are not so easy. Ours is a result-oriented society, a place where goals, aspirations, the promise of the future eclipses where we are today. Ours is a culture in which hustle and bustle are given priority over the here and now. It’s not impossible, however. And what’s better, we can actually practice living in the dash. Actively working on being present for 10 minutes a day will carry over into our daily lives and help us to appreciate the infinite opportunities that arise every day.
I connect to being in the moment through daily meditation and prayer. By dedicating time expressly to being with myself and my thoughts, I train my mind to do so instinctively even when I’m not trying to do so.
Maybe you’ve never meditated; perhaps you’re an expert practitioner. No matter where you are, here is an easy, breath-focused practice to help you live in the moment.
Find a safe and comfortable place to lie down, preferably on a mat or the floor.
Relax your shoulders, your neck, your jaw, your chest, your belly.
Begin to breathe slowly and deeply:
Inhale fully, exhale, relax completely,
Now scan your body, starting at your feet, simply noticing how your body is feeling. Notice your feet, ankles, legs, hips. Continue scanning your body, moving to your stomach, back, chest, sides. Scan your hands, arms, shoulders, neck, head, and face. Perhaps even touch each body part with your hand in order to connect with it. How does each part feel? What areas have the most tension or negative energy?
Continue to breathe deeply. Take 10 more deep, full breaths, releasing any residual tension.
Start here and branch out. Work on breathing exercises just 10 minutes a day. Research different schools of meditation (for example Focused Attention, Transcendental) and find something that works for you. If you are religious or want to connect to spirituality, use reaching out to a higher power as a mode of meditation.
When we’re awake to it, living in the moment is possible. We can find profundity in the seemingly mundane. We can experience every moment of our dash.
Weight Release & Body Image Coach Laura Fenamore is on a mission to guide women around the world to love what they see in the mirror, one pinky at a time, so they can unlock the secrets to a healthy weight and start loving their lives as soon as possible.
Her popular Body Image Mastery program is celebrated by hundreds of women who have lost weight, reclaimed self-esteem, and started bold, happy lives with Laura and her proven programs as their guide.
Having overcome her own battle with addiction, obesity, and eating disorders, Laura released over 100 pounds 24 years ago to begin a journey to guide other women to live more joyous, balanced lives. The author of the forthcoming book Weightless: 7 Tools to Love Your Body (and Lose Weight For Good) and a frequent contributor to local and national media – including First for Women, Ladies Home Journal, the Dr. Pat Show and blog contributor on Betty Confidential, Daily Love and Positively Positive. Laura believes that self-love and self-care is where the transformation begins. Learn more about her programs, invite her to speak or contribute to your program or conference, at OnePinky.com.
