One thing I'm working on right now is to try and live here and now in THIS moment. Life can get so hectic, we rush through our days never truly experiencing what is around us. Living in the moment is one key step I can make along this path to happiness and contentment. When my depression is at it's worst I'm constantly looking to the future, thinking about what could make me happy, or where I need to be to be content in my life. By focusing on what I don't have (or perceive not to have) I'm denying all the good that is in my life RIGHT NOW. I get so wound up in my thoughts that I lose track of what is real.
There is beauty in every moment, and even through the harder moments we can experience something beautiful if we allow ourselves too.
My thinking up until now has always been very black and white. All or nothing. Everything is fantastic or totally bloody awful. A bad moment was dark clouds and sadness. I never saw the middle ground. One moment of sadness and I would allow it to pull me all the way down. I'd focus on that, long after that moment had passed, and ignore what was going on now.
A quote I read somewhere (and I can't for the life of me find it again now!) stated that:
Mindful people are happier, more exuberant, more empathetic, and more secure. They have higher self-esteem and are more accepting of their own weaknesses. Anchoring awareness in the here and now reduces the kinds of impulsivity and reactivity that underlie depression, binge eating, and attention problems. Mindful people can hear negative feedback without feeling threatened. They fight less with their romantic partners and are more accommodating and less defensive. As a result, mindful couples have more satisfying relationships.
I'm learning to focus on NOW. To avoid worrying about what has been, or might be. To stop wishing for things that I don't have and instead enjoy the things that I do. It's all to easy to think
"oh, when I have x,y and z THEN I'll be happy"
Focusing on what is happening in the present is keeping me grounded, savouring the many moments of joy that make up each and every day is helping me to fight the negative thoughts that run through my mind. I'm choosing to focus on the good, each time a negative thought pops up, I acknowledge it but then find something positive to replace it with.
I AM NOT MY THOUGHTS
I realised that I love the simple things in life. I don't need lots of money, a big house, mountains of possessions to be happy. I have all I need in life to be happy already - I just have to focus on them. I'm re-learning every day to be thankful for what we have and to not let life pass me by any longer.
Once again, such gentle, wise words. I've only recently discovered your little 'bubble space' here but, wow, you certainly know how to make a girl think and ponder. :0)
ReplyDeleteI too have battled with depression and anxiety over the years, and focusing on the here and now really is the only way to truly live. All those sparkling moments of wonder can be so easily missed when we are so engrossed in our heads on other matters or else flying round like 'headless chickens' through life. We can forget to be grateful for all that we already have, taking for granted that which should be treasured and is so very precious.
Thank you for your shining words of hope: such a bright light when our world can sometimes feel so dark and lost.
Many blessings ~ xxxx
Oh, I know all about this though I am so thankful to say that the 'depression' period is getting shorter and shorter as I learn how to overcome it with positivity and gratitude and gentleness toward myself.
ReplyDeleteI admire you for being so honest about what you need and for staying with it.
xoxoxo
Oh, I know all about this though I am so thankful to say that the 'depression' period is getting shorter and shorter as I learn how to overcome it with positivity and gratitude and gentleness toward myself.
ReplyDeleteI admire you for being so honest about what you need and for staying with it.
xoxoxo