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When was the last time that you enjoyed your life? Really enjoyed it? Many people don’t have a easy answer to this question. Instead, a long thoughtful pause follows.
They become aware that, when they actually think about it, it’s been a long time that they have really enjoyed something, that they were totally relaxed and open to experience. Suddenly they start realizing how seldom moments of true happiness occur in everyday life.
Joy comes naturally Still, enjoying life is simple and easy because it’s a fundamental skill of life. It doesn’t have to be obtained. We are all born with it; babies and children always enjoy themselves. Before you know it, they are playing. It’s like a natural response, they can’t even help it. Did we, adults, simply forget about this wonderful skill?
The secret of enjoyment
The secret of enjoyment occurs when the experience is completely aligned with the present: here and now. A pleasant memory, a comforting dream or an exciting future event can give a lot of joy, fair enough. But it still isn’t quite the same as enjoying something here and now through all senses like sight, taste, smell and touch, enjoying reality itself. Don’t search too hard
Being present, here and now; that’s all there is to it, it’s all we need. Messengers of joy come towards us in a natural way: a singing bird, a cool glass of water, a juicy apple, fresh, clean sheets. Those are average, daily events. When we want to enjoy life, we don’t have to look very far.
Always somewhere else
Our skill to enjoy life is always there. No person goes without, it’s in everyone of us. But, in order to be able to get to it, we adults need to take a step back from our minds, with its persistent mental activities. Our mind wanders off constantly, usually to the past or towards to the future. It leads us away from our senses, from here and now. The mind thus creates a barrier to the present moment. Living consciously
Mindfulness simply focuses on consciously allowing the present experience. Mindfulness is about being aware of the present experience. Practicing mindfulness is the fastest way to a colorful life filled with awareness. Mindfulness teaches us to live from moment to moment, with childlike curiosity and openness. Open for joy. Return to previous page
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