Suffering. A gentle reminder to self.
Most of our suffering is not happening in the present moment.
Suffering lives in the mind.
We replay the past - rethinking of the moments we wish we could change, wishing we could take back words spoken, and actions we regret.
We worry for the future - imagining pain that hasn't even arrived, worried about future loss or failure or rejection.
But this is a gentle reminder to myself - notice the TRUTH:
You are not suffering then. You are not suffering later. You are suffering right now - because the mind is traveling away from the present moment.
The past no longer exists.
The future has not yet arrived.
What remains is memory and imagination - both convincing and powerful - and both capable of creating pain that feels real even though there is no danger in the present moment.
What is really happening in the present moment? Your body is here now - breathing in and out. Life is unfolding in this moment.
This is where God meets us. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. But here. Peace is only available to us when we are able to bring our minds to the now...away from the pain of yesterday and the worry of tomorrow. We don't need to erase our memories or control the future - we just need to return to the present moment....the only peace where true peace can exist.
Here are a couple journal prompts I work with and I thought could be helpful to share.
1. Where does my mind travel most often - the past or the future?
2. What am I believing right now that might not actually be happening?
3. What does my body feel in this moment when I slow my breath?
4. What is true in this very moment?
Here is a little prayer to end us.
God, Bring my mind back to where my body already is. Remind me that You are present here — in this breath, in this moment. Help me release what has passed and loosen my grip on what has not yet come. Teach me to rest in the now, knowing that You are already here waiting for me. Amen.
Suffering lives in the mind.
We replay the past - rethinking of the moments we wish we could change, wishing we could take back words spoken, and actions we regret.
We worry for the future - imagining pain that hasn't even arrived, worried about future loss or failure or rejection.
But this is a gentle reminder to myself - notice the TRUTH:
You are not suffering then. You are not suffering later. You are suffering right now - because the mind is traveling away from the present moment.
The past no longer exists.
The future has not yet arrived.
What remains is memory and imagination - both convincing and powerful - and both capable of creating pain that feels real even though there is no danger in the present moment.
What is really happening in the present moment? Your body is here now - breathing in and out. Life is unfolding in this moment.
This is where God meets us. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. But here. Peace is only available to us when we are able to bring our minds to the now...away from the pain of yesterday and the worry of tomorrow. We don't need to erase our memories or control the future - we just need to return to the present moment....the only peace where true peace can exist.
Here are a couple journal prompts I work with and I thought could be helpful to share.
1. Where does my mind travel most often - the past or the future?
2. What am I believing right now that might not actually be happening?
3. What does my body feel in this moment when I slow my breath?
4. What is true in this very moment?
Here is a little prayer to end us.
God, Bring my mind back to where my body already is. Remind me that You are present here — in this breath, in this moment. Help me release what has passed and loosen my grip on what has not yet come. Teach me to rest in the now, knowing that You are already here waiting for me. Amen.
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