Keeping a Forward Thinking Attitude

When we feel guilty about the past it’s because our mind is making us feel that way. By flooding our brain with the thoughts of our past mistakes, decisions and wrong turns, our life-journey distracts us from what is real, the present. Similarly, the mind’s other favorite resource is the future which does not exist because our we live in the present.  There is no crystal ball. This back and forth preoccupation of the mind has been ingrained in us and civilization since the beginning (Eckhart Tolle).

Everyone wonders what would have happened if they did something differently in the past.
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It’s purely a function that we need to keep tabs on and minimize. How that may have changed the present? This can lead to depression, a longing for change, regret, and unfulfillment. We also wonder or worry about the future regarding health, prosperity, speaking events, vacations, our jobs, retirement, and the list goes on. Thinking about the future can lead to anxiety and stress. You can overthink a future outcome 25 times before it ever has a chance to happen (Taryn Toomey).

Eckhart Tolle “The Power of Now” asks each of us to observe the mind as a formless, non-judgmental, unassuming bystander. Understand the mind and the way it works so you can take control over your mind domain. You can control the mind from constantly bringing up the past and projecting the future. I have been working on it for some time. I constantly observe my mind dwelling in the past and postulating outcomes about the future and have found that some simple breathing exercises (4, 7, 8) snap me out of it. Then I do brain exercises like remembering street addresses, making gratitude’s, and observing unique things in my surroundings. If I am in an area conducive to meditation, I focus my thoughts on my body starting with my toes and working up through my head while concentrating on breath and thinking about the energy in each area.

​After I clear the extraneous thoughts, I concentrate on what I was doing in the first place. If necessary, I continue with the brain exercises. Sometimes when certain thoughts enter my mind; for example, a project I am behind on, I compartmentalize the thought to be taken up later when I return to work on it. Finances, bills, and obligations are notorious for getting stressed over. We all need to make decisions for living within our means. Schedule a time and place to work on your finances (compartmentalize). It’s best to schedule your activities when you can focus 100% on them. You don’t need to carry them around with you all day and night. Enjoy life and appreciate all its blessings by being present in the moment.

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​A phone call or text can send your mind into a frenzy of unnecessary active thinking be it good or bad.

​Dealing with these thoughts, though not easy can be done with practice. To remain present, or conscious and enjoy your day you can control this very busy self-talk by making gratitude offerings or meditating and clearing your mind. There are many YouTube meditation suggestions for the beginner. Does my mind try to keep me preoccupied? Heck yes, my mind is a tough fighter. When you stay in a present state (conscious) keeping your mind in check you are in a far better place to enjoy life. You will notice the Angel number on a digital clock (1:11) the beauty of nature, your specialness, joy, happiness, and the real miracle of life all around. You can appreciate things as they happen not as a burden but an opportunity.
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Obligations become things to experience not avoid. Life is long but just a speck or grain of sand in the context of time. We will experience many trials and tribulations during our earth experience, but God, within us, will always provide what we need. Be present to receive your own gift of enlightenment.