10 Positive Ways to Freely Live In The Moment Without Internal Conflict
If you had only a little time left to live, how would you
spend it? If you had to live like there’s no tomorrow, what would you do?
Certainly, your answers to these questions may not include distractions that
life can sometimes involve. You may probably choose to enjoy living and
enjoying every moment.
As humans, we may create much of our lives to revolve
around the past or the future. We may dwell so much on memories and what could
have been that we may even feel guilt or regret. We may constantly prepare and
look forward to what may be. We may hardly spend enough quality time to just sit,
breathe, and take in the present moment.
Do not despair. Even through the looming pandemic and its
effects, it is important to be able to not only stay vigilant about surviving
and protecting yourself and your loved ones but to live in the moment by creating
and enjoying good times responsibly and safely. Your mind can be like a prison
if you allow it, or you can decide that you will freely exercise your thoughts
and manage your emotions without feeling inner conflict. Freely living in the
moment has great rewards, which can include:
Eliminating Worries: The
past is gone; the future, we cannot control with absolute or predictable
certainty. Dwelling (negatively) on the past or future can bring worries,
anxiety, and distractions. The awareness of today, in this present moment, can
calm your heart from worrying and bring you peace of mind.
Making Life More Enjoyable:
Events of life occur in moments. So, the best way to deal with what life has in
store is to live in the moment and experience life as it is happening. Living
in the moment makes tasks easier to solve. We can appreciate the good, and life
can be more enjoyable when we live in the moment. Be (more) aware of your
positive thoughts and emotions and don’t rush to ignore them when you are
enjoying and living in the moment.
How do you live in the moment?
Below are 10 positive ways to live in the moment without
internal conflict:
1. Meditation: The history of meditation dates as far back as ancient Hinduism. It is also mentioned in several places in the Holy Bible. Meditation is focusing your mind on your breathing or a particular subject at a time. Meditation creates an awareness of one’s internal state, external environment, and current emotions. Meditation compels you to stay in the now and enjoy life in the present moment. Positive affirmation can also accompany meditation. To get the best out of meditation, you must set aside a time and suitable venue, away from the interference of other people or other distractions to attain balance, harmony, and peace.
2. Nature Walks & Scenery: Nature walks help
you focus on the beauty of nature around and inside of you. These walks help
for observation and mindedness of how many little and big things make up our
world. For some people, the sight and sound of a cascading waterfall may bring them inner peace to enjoy at the moment. For others, the feel of a gentle
breeze against their face or canoeing on a calm lake helps them to feel free to
live in and enjoy the moment. To live in the moment, take walks or hikes around
the nature around you. Notice the beautiful colors and wonders. Take note of
how your body responds to the walk and the joy that beauty begets in you. Be
(more) aware of your surroundings, take a deep breath, take some deliberate
time, and appreciate the beauty of nature.
3. Mindful Body Scan & Physical Awareness: A mindful body scan and awareness of your physical state can keep
you in touch with your body in the present moment. It involves taking stock of
your entire body, from the soles of your feet to the crown of your head, and freely
appreciating parts of your body that are in optimal health. In a mindful body
scan, you use your five senses to process how your body functions and do not
take for granted parts of your body that function well. You can do this while
lying down (preferably early in the morning before beginning your day). Feel and
appreciate your heartbeat, your pulse rate, the breath that goes in and out of
your nostrils, and every little good thing you can feel without inner
conflicting feelings. Appreciate the feel and texture of the food on your tongue.
Soak up the deep euphoric state of a runner’s high after your workout where
your body releases “feel good” hormones called endorphins. Live in the moment
and freely embrace and feel invigorated and alive in the moment during a long
and relaxing bath and/or during a long, loving, and snug hug of a loved one.
4. Gratitude: Being grateful helps you stay
in the moment of the good deed and freely acknowledge it. Gratitude brings
happiness and fulfillment to you and other people. A habit of constant
gratitude creates a positive atmosphere of conscious and deliberate effort to always
find the good in all situations. Expressing gratitude can also build your
relationship with your Higher Power, spouse, children, parents, family members,
co-workers, and even strangers. Being grateful for life makes you focus on all
the positivity of the present. A daily gratitude journal, prayer, and sharing
your feelings of gratitude with others are ways to build the habit of having gratitude
in the moment.
5. Smile: A smile is said to mean more than
many words. Smiling helps you live in a moment of happiness, fulfillment, and
enjoyment. Science has shown that because we smile when we’re happy, our brain
connects smiling to being happy. So, when we smile, we communicate happiness to
ourselves (and others). Smile right now even if you do not feel like it and
appreciate that you can. Smile to yourself in the mirror. Smile at a waitress
or random stranger. There is no reason for you to feel inner conflict when you smile
and are living in the moment of good things happening for you and others.
6. Exercise: A positive way to live in the
moment without internal conflict is exercising. Exercising focuses your mind on
the movements the body performs in the moment. Exercise also steers your mind
away from internal conflict and controls your thoughts. Exercise regimes
including breathing control exercises, yoga, stretching, and aerobic exercises
bring your attention to the present. Exercise can reduce stress and help you
clear your mind so you can feel free to live in the moment of improving your
health.
7. Random Acts Of Kindness: Spontaneous and random acts of service help you live in the present moment, where your spontaneous action toward another person is your focus. These acts of service help you stop for a moment, remove your focus from all that is happening in your everyday life, and do something nice for someone else. Acts of kindness can help to bring you and others genuine joy.
8. Compartmentalize Your Non-Immediate Issues: Worries about what was and what may be is an enemy against living in the moment. Saying “Don’t worry” is not enough to keep you from worrying. A way to stop worrying and live in the moment is to compartmentalize all your worries. Make a list of worries or issues and write them down them according to worries you can fix and those you have no control over. Those you can fix, make an action plan, and take steps to fix them later and after you create time to enjoy the good people, places, and things in your present moment. For things you have no control over, make a conscious effort to quit worrying about them. Your mind can only think of one thought at a time. Find your calm and peaceful mental place and focus on the good place or space you are currently at mentally. Compartmentalizing and setting aside your worries and placing them in their proper perspective and order can help to bring you in touch with your current internal state and give you clarity in the moment. If you find your mind drifting or becoming distracted, re-focus on the moment at hand or in thought and replace any negative or distracting thoughts with the good that is currently going on. If you are of sound mind with no external manipulation, then your thoughts are what you have control over.
9. Declutter: Clutter can be bad for your
physical health when it comes to trip hazards and accidents; mental clutter can
also cloud your mind and hinder you from living in the moment. Declutter your
personal space at home and work. Throw out what is not needed, give out
whatever is in excess, and keep only necessary items. Mentally decluttering is
a relaxing activity that frees your space and mind from distractions to freely
enjoy basking and living in the moment. It is possible for some people to
operate well in physical and mental clutter because they have effectively
learned to focus, re-focus, and master their thoughts, emotions, and internal
and external influences.
10. Practice Self-Love And Forgiveness: How many times have you told yourself, “I just love me some ME”?
And, not in a vain or arrogant way that makes you feel inner conflict if you do
not behave as if you love yourself? Practicing self-love is loving the person
you are in the present. It is also protecting yourself from negative energy
from other people, politely declining any engagement that negatively affects
you, and maintaining an assertiveness of what's best for you. Holding grudges and
having never-ending regrets for your past errors can drag you down, keep you
living in the past, and make you continually dwell on what happened that you
cannot go back and change. With forgiveness, you let go of the past, learn, embrace
the present, and do what you can to live in the present moment without self-conflict.
Practicing forgiveness teaches you patience and how to accommodate human flaws,
including your own. Forgiving and loving yourself helps you to accept and move
past all your errors and wrong decisions so that you can embrace the man or woman you
are and fully live in the moment.
Conclusion
Life can be filled with day-to-day
issues. It may feel like just when you feel like you’ve solved some of your
major life issues, others may arise out of nowhere. You may be tempted to feel
inner turmoil and self-conflict if you do not stop everything that you’re doing
to address your problems.
However, if you or your loved ones are not in imminent danger or your life problems are non-immediate, then it is more than okay to deliberately slow down or stop to enjoy good people, pleasant experiences, good life lessons, and good times in the moment without feeling guilt or internal conflict. Learning to live in the moment peacefully or joyously and without feeling inner conflict can help you to brighten your day, brighten the day of others, elevate your mood, vibration, and improve your mental wellness and health, all-year-round.