Life Through a Child's Eyes

Can you remember when you were a kid? Go back as far as you can. Remember when everything was new? The ever unfolding brand new parade of stimulus for your senses to experience. Exploring the world around you; feeling new fabrics, and textures; exciting new food to taste; new smells and scents from everything; new situations to deal with and learn from. In general, your sense of perception back then was considerably magnified compared to your senses most of the time today. Have you ever thought about why?

It is only natural for our perception to be heightened when our level of expectation is very low. In other words, the less you think you know what's going to happen next, the more aware and alert of the present moment you are. As a result, perception is heightened when your focus is in the present. People tend to enjoy themselves a lot more in the present moment as well.

Think about it yourself. You will notice that the newness of the moment is the secret ingredient in everything you enjoy. Are you a sports fan? You can't appreciate a game without being in the newness of the moment. Like to travel? The joy of traveling to new places is in the newness of the experience. Do you like to dance? Do you like music? How about movies, books, parties, meeting people, web surfing, everything! There is nothing that you can enjoy without acknowledging it in the present moment. You connect with life in the present moment.

So what's new? What is new? Of course 'new' has many uses and relative definitions but it is no coincidence that 'new' and 'now' have similar word origins. In order to be new, something must have just stepped out of the now; the present moment.

We often hear of people chasing their 'inner child'. It is easy to see why. The feeling of everything being brand new; the heightened perception; the zest for life; the wide eyed perspective; and the fun loving spirit are all still within you right now.

All it takes to bring it to life is attention. Focus navigates...

Happy Holidays

In my experience, everyday is a holiday.

Any and all gifts can only be enjoyed and appreciated in the present. Even gifts remembered or projected into the future, can only be done so in the present.

The gift and the present are literally inseparable!

Peace to all! Enjoy your holidays!

Worry For What?

"Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday."
~Dale Carnegie

Was it worth it? Was all yesterday's worrying about today worth it? No. The worry is fear, and it is worse than what we worry about. It depreciates the moments we spend with it.

Here's a few more cool perspective expanding quotes:

"Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow but a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day."
~Sanskrit proverb

"An economist is an expert who will know tomorrow why the things he predicted yesterday didn't happen."
~Earl Winston

"It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow."
~Bob Goddard

"There are two days in the week on which I never worry; One is yesterday and the other is tomorrow."
~Robert Burdette

"Yesterday is a canceled check: Forget it. Tomorrow is a promissory note: Don't count on it. Today is ready cash: Use it!"
~Edwin Bliss

"Today's opportunities erase yesterday's failures."
~Gene Brown

Related posts:

• What's Done Is Done
• Are You Exactly Where You Should Be?
• What Have You Got To Lose?
  

The Destination Is The Journey

Enjoy the journey.

All too often, we get our sights set on a specific outcome or goal and everything else between now and reaching the desired destination becomes a lot less important.

We all have the ability to take a step back and realize that every single passing moment is as valuable as the next. As a matter of fact, the only moment that ever truly counts is the moment we are experiencing right now. Every other moment is either a memory or an idea projected into the future. In other words, no moment is real except the present.

When we put more importance on a moment in the future, we depreciate the current moment.

Of course this does not mean to wander aimlessly through life with no goals. A sense of purpose can and does add tremendously to our experience. But realizing that the present is just as valuable as the goal (if not more) increases the overall joy and peace we may feel all the time.

We are here. We have arrived. No matter where we are, we are home.

Related posts:

• The End IS the Means
• Enjoy Your Day
• The Art of Embracing
  
• Every Day Is A Good Day
  

'NOW' Is More Than Meets The Eye

Many (including myself) have spoken of the benefits of being in the present moment. The power of being in the NOW helps to quiet the mind by eliminating thoughts of the past and future and making the most of your focus. There are actually more benefits to being in the moment than are usually mentioned. I'm talking about broadening the concept of NOW.

If you have ever brought your attention to the concept that time is an illusion and that all of eternity is but a single moment, then you may see how we can broaden the concept of 'now'. Yes, 'now' is the present moment, but included in that are the infinite possibilities of everything that could ever possibly happen. In other words, all possibilities are happening right now.

Looking at the present moment from this perspective, it is easy to see how you can fully be in the present moment and yet still be attracting what you want in a future moment to you simultaneously. To feel and acknowledge the possibilities you want right now is not a denial of your present moment, but an addition to it. It is after all a reality right now. When you can feel and appreciate that alternate present moment reality, you draw it forth into your current reality.

The same is true for worry. Feeling the feelings of worry, a person actually helps to bring about the present moment that already exists where their worries are a reality. You attract it to you. It's beneficial to focus on want you want and to feel good. Now is the time.

Related posts:

• Find Your Dreams
• Precision Vision
• The Gift That Keeps On Giving
  
• Why Worry?
• Something Out Of Nothing
  

Death and Heaven

Many people through out mankind's history have speculated on the afterlife. There are many religions and cultures that place a tremendous value on the eternal afterlife of man kind. Whether or not you believe in an afterlife is irrelevant to this discussion. Your beliefs, or lack there of, in such things does not contradict or nullify what we are speaking of here. This message is all inclusive.

Whether or not there is an unseen kingdom of heaven in the clouds is not within the realm of our current knowledge to totally prove or disprove. What is infinitely more important is the life and experience we have in the present moment; right here, right now.

Believe it or not, heaven can be attained on earth. Heaven can be attained in your very life right now. Even so, you must first die to enter this heaven. How can this be? What am I talking about? I am referring to a major shift in your perspective.

All death can be considered the ending of an identity. Death in the traditional sense is not the end of life, but only a change in location of your perspective. It is the transformation of your identity. The death that I am referring to is not the end of your life here in this physical realm. It is the death of the grip the ego identity may have on you right now. Every time an attachment is broken, a little death takes place. It is a death in the ego. It is the releasing of a bond that was formerly part of your identity.

When your ego has died to the point of being able to see past it; when it has been weakened enough that your perspective is able to shift from it to that of the objective Observer, you will be able to enter heaven.

What is this heaven? It is exactly what your definition of heaven would be. In the traditional definition of heaven, there is no pain or suffering. There is only the good life. Realizing that we as individuals can control the source of pain and suffering in our own lives gives us the ability to eliminate it. Becoming the master over your ego mind can give you the freedom to enter heaven at any given time.

Related posts:

• Heaven or Hell
• The Benefits of Death
• This Perspective is Priceless
• You Can Be Right, Or You Can Be Happy

It Is Unstoppable. Can't Stop - Won't Stop

Is it possible for the present moment to stop? Is it possible for what is referred to as 'right now' to not be in existence?

Even if the Earth stopped spinning and stopped its orbit; even if every single heavenly body in the cosmos ceased all movement; if every single sub atomic particle stopped in its tracks; the present moment would still be running. The tape would still be rolling, so to speak. If the universe ceased to exist, the now would still be the now.

It is truly a marvel when one considers the fact that no matter what could possibly ever happen; the present moment has always been, and will forever be going. In any possible situation out of a multitude of infinite possibilities, the present moment is the constant that must be included in each.

Since the present is such an unstoppable constant, the best thing to do is to use it to your advantage. Roll with it. Acknowledge how much power dwells with in the moment. When you can literally feel the present moment, you can feel your own presence. Feeling your own presence is feeling the present moment.

For more on getting in tune with the unstoppable nature of your self, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

What's New? Life Through a Child's Eyes

Can you remember when you were a kid? Go back as far as you can. Remember when everything was new? The ever unfolding brand new parade of stimulus for your senses to experience. Exploring the world around you; feeling new fabrics, and textures; exciting new food to taste; new smells and scents from everything; new situations to deal with and learn from. In general, your sense of perception back then was considerably magnified compared to your senses most of the time today. Have you ever thought about why?

It is only natural for our perception to be heightened when our level of expectation is very low. In other words, the less you think you know what's going to happen next, the more aware and alert of the present moment you are. As a result, perception is heightened when your focus is in the present. People tend to enjoy themselves a lot more in the present moment as well.

Think about it yourself. You will notice that the newness of the moment is the secret ingredient in everything you enjoy. Are you a sports fan? You can't appreciate a game without being in the newness of the moment. Like to travel? The joy of traveling to new places is in the newness of the experience. Do you like to dance? Do you like music? How about movies, books, parties, meeting people, web surfing, everything! There is nothing that you can enjoy without acknowledging it in the present moment. You connect with life in the present moment.

So what's new? What is new? Of course 'new' has many uses and relative definitions but it is no coincidence that 'new' and 'now' have similar word origins. In order to be new, something must have just stepped out of the now; the present moment.

We often hear of people chasing their 'inner child'. It is easy to see why. The feeling of everything being brand new; the heightened perception; the zest for life; the wide eyed perspective; and the fun loving spirit are all still within you right now.

Find out how to see life through new eyes. Read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

"I'm Just Happy To Be Here!"

Have you ever been watching TV or listening to the radio and you hear, "I'm just happy to be here!” from one of your favorite stars or accomplished people. Chances are; you have heard this phrase spoken many times by many people in your life.

Have you ever noticed that it is always people on top of their field that you hear saying this? It is not a coincidence. It is not just something to say that sounds good in an interview. It is not a feeling gained after having gotten to the position they are in. It is actually the feeling that got them there.

When you realize the more adaptive and flexible you are to life situations; the further you will get in anything you set out to do; then it makes perfect sense why these stars and leaders in their fields made it to the level that they did.

'Being happy to be here' brings with it the power to move through obstacles. It is acceptance of what is. It is the ability to be without stress because you remain in the present moment. Stress only exists for you when dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Stress is basically resistance to what is.

Don't take my word for it. Use your own sense of knowing. If somebody is unhappy doing what they have to do while approaching a goal; would they become happy just because they reached their goal? Chances are they would be happy for a brief period and then go back to feeling the way they usually do.

Being happy just to be, is the way to be.

What is ISness?

This may sound like an odd question to some, but it is simply asking what is it to be in existence right now. What is it exactly to be in a state described by the verb is? What is isness?

Well is is the third person singular of the present tense of be. The fact that is is a verb that requires no action sets it apart from most other verbs. To be described as is is simply to exist. To simply exist requires no story, labels, judgment, or conclusion. Also, is is only ever accurately used in the present moment. In other words; is=now as was=the past and will be=the future.

The reason for the question and resulting english lesson, is because we all have that element of isness in our lives. To be more precise; life is. Life can never be in the past. Life can never be in the future. Life only exists in the present moment as isness. Everything beyond that is a construct of the mind. If there is anything in your life that can not be described as is, it is not real at the moment. No matter how sure you are of it being a was or a will be, if it is not an is, then it is an idea that is not happening now.

Can you feel the isness of the moment? Can you feel the isness of your awareness? Can you feel the isness of all that you perceive? This "isness" is a still and silent all pervasive presence. It is only noticeable as you become still and silent yourself. This is a stillness of the mind. If you are not tuned into it, you miss it almost altogether.

To illustrate this all pervasive isness, picture this scenario.
The whole world is and always has been submerged. The sea level is above that of the highest mountain peak on earth. We are around because we evolved and breathe in water as fish do. If we had never ventured to leave the ocean floor, would we know what it is to be wet? Would the concepts of wet and dry even exist to us?

If you can picture that scene, you may have an idea of what I'm referring to. The isness of our lives and our reality is always there and all pervasive just like the water in the scenario. It takes a certain amount of self awareness to acknowledge that which can not be detected with the five senses. Still the mind though, and you can feel the presence. You can feel the isness.