Message of the Day - Mindfulness, Being Present and Letting Go

Good Morning,

 

My current read is a book by Jerry Braza, Ph.D. called ‘Moment by Moment’ (http://www.amazon.com/Moment-Art-Practice-Mindfulness/dp/0804831130). The basis of the book is the Art and Practice of Mindfulness. Mindfulness is being aware of what is going on both around you and within in you at any given moment. One of the biggest inhibitors to Mindfulness is incomplete projects or activities. Each grabs a part of your attention, and at some point can become stifling. Jerry Braza goes over many different techniques on how to achieve the state of Mindfulness in every day life and the benefits it can bring to you. Some of these include breathing techniques, meditation and silent observing of nature and life around you.

 

A similar message is also given in Dr. Spencer Johnson’s book ‘The Precious Present’ which is an allegory about living in the present and not letting the past drag you down and not letting you get hung up on what the future may bring.

 

These are both powerful messages about living here and now, and being Mindful of what is going on around you and within you at this very moment.

 

Part of living mindfully in the present is to let go of anger and resentment. Often people will say that they will forgive but not forget. That, in itself, may not be enough. When you remember, you hold onto the past resentment and anger. Anger and resentment should be let go as being something from your past. Sure, learn from the experience, but let it go, do not let it have weight over you. You know, holding a grudge. A famous grudge held by Jerry Lewis against Dean Martin. Jerry Lewis talked about how they lost over TWENTY (20) YEARS until they patched their friendship up and the waste of time due to egos.

 

One quote in Moment by Moment is: ‘Hanging onto resentment is allowing someone you despise to live rent-free in your mind’.

 

I try to not hold grudges, and while I am mostly successful, it is challenging to live in a world where many people around you do consistently hold grudges. It is sad to see two former friends quibble about each other and gossip about each other and talk about what they did to each other. Outsiders who hear these talks often indicate that these folks and those they have the grudge against sound so much alike. Often that is the key. Forgiveness is a powerful tool to help us let go.

 

We, personally, have to let pain and anger go because they often do not know when to leave on their own.

 

To live in the present and be mindful of your surroundings both around and within you, you need to let go of the past and kick the non-rent paying loafers (anger and pain) out of your life.

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Sanford Berenberg

Sanford@berenberg.net

http://www.berenberg.net

http://sanfordberenberg.blogspot.com/

502-533-9336

 

PS: If you know others who may enjoy this message of the day, please pass this message on or invite them to receive them themselves by sending a request to me. If you wish to stop receiving these, please also let me know. Thank you!!!