Here and Now...
During the last two weeks, my focus has been on staying in the here and now. I've been doing an exercise that involves me immediately shifting my mind back to the current moment when I catch myself thinking about what has happened or what could happen.
I've always been an in-the-moment kinda gal in most instances, but I never fully realized how important and peaceful staying in the moment actually was until I had an "ah ha" moment while reading an Erykah Badu article some months ago.
In an interview with Vulture.com, Miss Badu was asked what made her nervous. Her answer went like this.....
“I’m over being scared. When I feel the heart rate going or the palms getting sweaty, I start looking for the silence. And when I’m calmed down, I realize I’ve been thinking about the past or the future, which is not even here. I just come back to the moment.”
I almost did a holy dance after reading Erykah's response. What she said really helped me pinpoint my stressful moments. Whenever I begin agonizing or worrying, it's usually over something that has already happened or has yet to happen. It's very seldom about what's going on in the moment.
As my grandmother says quite often, "don't trouble trouble, until trouble troubles you." Don't rob yourself of a moment because you're worried about what might happen next Friday or what someone said or did last Monday. Try to stay in the moment and deal with things as they come.
Taking a deep breath, relaxing, and chanting the words here and now has truly helped me out during stressful moments. I plan to continue on this path and remind myself daily that I can't get the past back and the future isn't guaranteed. All I can control is what's happening here and now.
Peace and Blessings,
- Samjah Iman
P.S. I got this jumper from Free People off the sale rack, therefore it's no longer available (sorry!). It was more than 75% off because it was torn, but I purchased it anyway (don't sleep on buying defective merchandise for more than half off the price!). Thank you Ms. Michelle for fixing and tailoring this jumpsuit to perfection! xoxo