It has been a week! A wonderful, noisy, busy, wild week. Grandchildren were here. We sewed, cooked, and played. Nobody slept enough. We were just working things out and establishing a routine when the week ended. Each of the three children had their own sanctuary from separation and homesickness. My grandson found sanctuary in his electronic devices. Little sister found sanctuary in drawing and coloring. Older sister found sanctuary doing the hair of her Americn Girl doll (practice for her own hair).
Oma (me) found sanctuary in being surrounded by people I love. Instead of dwelling on the frustrations of life, I focused only on them. I focused on each moment present with them.
Live fully in the present moment, appreciate the feel of fabrics and surfaces, focus on the people and emotions of the present. In my experience, living in the present moment is the best way to release stress and anxiety. Maybe some examples would help illustrate.
Going into a job interview? Put on your best smile, it’s show time. Instead of borrowing trouble over how you will be judged wanting, spend your time really focusing on your surroundings and the interviewer. You say you aren’t prepared. That is the past. Focus on making that connection when you meet. Focus on the interviewer. Listen to each comment and question. Save your analysis for later.
Confronted with a phobia? Spiders? Notice the spider’s color, its pattern, how it weaves its web, what may have been snared. You may become so fascinated that you forget your fear.
The present moment can be your sanctuary, if you banish the mistakes and hurts of the past, and refuse to fret over the future.
(Picture of the grandchildren playing Fantasia on Xbox. Included with permission of Mom.)
April's Perspective 
It’s great advice but maybe easier said than done. I’m glad you had a nice time with your grandchildren!
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You are correct. Living in the present is not always easy, and that is when you need it the most. FocusI guess on the little things always gets me through.
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Wha-a-a-t? Just noticed the extra word. I have to be so careful of that when on my I pad. Sorry.
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I think it’s wonderful advice to focus on the present – and what you are doing right now. I think it’s easy to lose yourself in what next, or what happened. But right now? Well, that’s what’s happening.
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It is what is happening, and all we can really influence. So why am I such a worrier? Another mystery.
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I have actively practiced living in the present moment for a long time.
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Smart man. I practice when I get stressed.
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Great! 👍
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What better way to be in the moment, but with the innocence of children. I feel they can live in the moment almost ‘naturally’. Then they grow up.
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Fortunately our grandchildren remind us of what that is like. So much easier to live in the moment with them around.
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A very helpful reminder. I recently did just as you say in a very difficult meeting that I had been very nervous about. So much so I had lost sleep, felt very sick. But when it came to the moment to be in that room, I was just there in that room, just a human being trying to do a good job, talking to another human being. I listened to him carefully, I didn’t rehearse in my head all the things I had panicked over saying, or not saying. We had a conversation, human to human, t think it worked. I didn’t feel sick, and we had a productive discussion. I need to remember this the next time I am getting myself all wound up. Your post is a good reminder 🙂
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Wonderful, and good luck.
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