“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”
This quote hits home for me. As we consider our thoughts and emotions, we may be saddened by missed opportunities, poor choices, or a belief that “if only I had known then what I know now, everything would be better.” We might look to our past and wish we had done things differently (or maybe that we could go back to “a better time”). We beat ourselves up for decisions and actions that happened years—or even decades—ago, continuing to stumble over things that are behind us.
We may also worry about the mystery of what comes next. What if my illness returns? What if I lose my job? What if something happens to my partner? What if my kids and grandkids move away? What if I can’t pay my bills? Often the things we’re anxious about are out of our control, and sometimes they never happen. Even with the insight that worrying doesn’t make things better, it’s hard to ignore those thoughts. But it’s not impossible!
Mindfulness focuses on being in the present moment, on purpose, without judgement. Instead of regret over the past or worry about the future, mindfulness brings us into this moment, which is all we have and all we need. Learning to live in the present moment can help to quiet those worrying thoughts and emotions and teach us to be grateful for where we are now. Mindfulness is a simple—but not easy—skill. It takes practice to use effectively, and you can begin to practice right now by joining this 3-minute Breathing Space video.
More Mindfulness
Interested in further exploring mindful awareness and its potential benefits to your health and well-being? There are many resources on the VA Whole Health page, including informational handouts, videos, and the Mindfulness Coach mobile app.
