Take each day as it comes

A skill I have learned is to take each day as it comes. While I plan, have goals, and ensure I am keeping up with things I am working on in life, I really try to wake up each day with the mindset "today is a new day".

I take this mindset from having lived a pretty crazy life where every day was another day to add to the chaos. I never really knew what was going to happen from day to day.  That has changed dramatically to a life now where I thrive on stability and constant in life. It's almost a double edged sword in some ways. I value certainty and knowing what's coming up the road because this was something I never had, but, I also understand and know that we don't know what the next day will bring.  All we really have is what's in front of us on a day to day basis.

Using the skill of living day by day has helped me get through tough times. It is through the toughest of times that having this mindset can save us, literally, save us from going crazy. I even say to use this mindset through extremely joyful times. To enjoy life's joyful moments the most, stay IN the moment.  Not worrying about how long it might last, or, when it will go away, just being in the moment.

Now, how do you learn this skill?  Pay attention to what you are doing.  In the book "Wherever You Go There You Are" by Jon Kabat-Zin (great read, get it!) he writes about the skill of washing the dishes. The next time you are doing any task be in that moment. He goes through what might seem a menial task, washing the dishes, by being in each moment and through washing each dish, one at a time. It's interesting to think about all the tasks we do each day without thinking about the how of what we are doing, are the steps to accomplishing each daily task.

I have developed the habit of going on a morning walk to start each day. Cheba, our 12 yr old German Shepherd, has slowed quite a bit, and, helps me to be in the moments of our daily walk. I purposefully walk with her. Stopping myself if I get ahead and wait for her, staying in each block of the walk.  Every day, without fail, we go on the morning walk. I hear the day waking up through the birds making their sounds.  I see the day coming alive through the rising of sun and the morning runners getting in their exercise.

Another skill to stay in moments is to actively listen. Purposely listening to the people in my world.  This slows my thoughts down....if I am truly wanting to understand what someone is saying, I must listen with purpose of understanding, not just waiting to respond. Actively listening is a skill that can help you stay in the moment. It takes practice and can also enrich your relationships with those in your world.

I strongly believe this skill, of living in each 24 hour period, can help to manage life's ups and downs. We spend too much time in yesterday and tomorrow, and not near enough time in the day we have the most control over; today.

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