01/06/2021
It's easy to get caught living on autopilot. We start our day thinking of the next task that needs to get done on our to-do list or the next task at work. We even drive to and from work on autopilot without giving it much thought. Perhaps you find yourself thinking about a problem you have or mindlessly listening to a song playing on the radio. Maybe a problem is plaguing your thoughts, and you are replaying events or conversations. We have all been there.
Life goes by quickly; days turn into weeks, months, and years. Chasing the future or replaying the past doesn't give us room to enjoy our lives because we are not living. To live life, one must be in the present. Give yourself the time you need to live the life you want and get unstuck from the past or the future.
Today I went to get a pedicure done. It's one of the many little self-care things I do. I sat on the massage chair, took off my shoes, and dipped my feet into the warm, almost hot water. I picked up my phone and began looking through emails, check my Facebook groups, and whatever else I felt I needed to check.
I found myself wasting the moment and not truly relaxing and enjoying the moment. We need to stay aware of these fleeting moments. These are the moments that life is all about, but we miss out on them. I put my phone down. The lady was massaging my feet and legs. I didn't even notice the massage chair was rolling up and down my back before putting my cell phone down. I was on autopilot.
At that moment I decided that I would be present. My mind often running around in circles with many thoughts; I told it to be quiet. I knew I would have time later to address whatever thoughts, problems, tasks I had.
Now that I was present, I enjoyed the oil massage the lady was giving me. Feeling all the pressure points she was pushing on my feet. I also enjoyed the smell of the orange-scented scrub. The hot black stones that were rubbed on my feet and legs felt wonderful. Then the hot towels she placed on my legs, followed by the heated foot wax.
Had I not decided to be present, I probably wouldn't have known I was there. By putting the phone down and shutting my mind off, I was able to enjoy "now."
Don't think of your problems or worries all the time. They will be there when you are done enjoying your moments, whatever that self-love routine is. It's pointless to destroy a good moment by thinking of a negative thought, the past, the future, or not being in the present.
Gift yourself with the present and enjoy!
It's easy to get caught living on autopilot. We start our day thinking of the next task that needs to get done on our to-do list or the next task at work. We even drive to and from work on autopilot without giving it much thought.