What does being present look like? Being in the moment? Being present helps you appreciate your change journey. I asked myself this question a little over a week ago. I saved the questions to answer it later. Here is my perspective.

Being present is really noticing what you feel, how you feel, and seeing what you are actually doing. When you cook, do you notice when the meal is being cooked on high, low, or medium? Do you consider the taste of the meal as opposed to the last time you prepared it? Can you taste the difference? By the way, I’ve noticed that my cooking has gotten better over the last several months because I have been more present in preparation. This may be a simple example, but simple works.

As you process change in your life, be present. Today I was challenged with my writing time because I had to do my budget. I saw a difference in the numbers ($11.00 can drive you nuts!) and I remember doing the monthly form and that I was in a hurry when I did it. I did the budget several times and still haven’t found it. It is not a lot of money until you lose it. I think the fact that I can’t place it is more irritating than the amount. It makes me think of the parable of the lost treasure and how God feels about us. Even one lost is worthy of pursuing.

Being mindful means you are paying attention to what you are doing in the moment. It helps you de-stress because your mind isn’t moving 100 mph. I love reading because that helps me de-stress and be in the moment. Have you considered that in a culture that screams more and more, and more, you need to rest? You need to rejuvenate and replenish. You must know that if we are to address mental health, this area hits home. It makes us very vulnerable and weak in the wrong area. Bringing the point home, God even designed rest. He rested.

Even sleep has been put on the back-burner. This is an area I had to focus on. I started taking melatonin gummies to help me relax. I chose them because they helped me get the support for sleep that I needed. I was sleeping a couple hours, getting up for an hour or so, and then going back to sleep for another couple hours. This was totally unhealthy. As my body adjusts with a better sleep pattern, I limit the days I take the melatonin.