Are you holding your breath waiting for some future moment to arrive?

Take a moment to relax. Count out five seconds and then take three deep stomach breaths. As you breathe, focus your awareness on how your stomach and rib cage expand as your breath flows in and then out. In and out. In and out. Just for this moment, allow your thoughts to drift towards the edges of your mind, and then let them go. Be here fully for the next ten minutes.

Now that you have created a space of calm and presence, you are ready to tap into the peace, energy, and power that is only available from being fully present. Now, contemplate this and the following questions with true honesty.

“Are you holding your breath waiting for some future moment to arrive?”

Is there something that is constantly on your mind, an overwhelming urge to attain or to reach some point in the future? Do you feel a constant mental resistance to the idea of slowing down and being present in your life now because of your urge to reach this future goal?

Is there some future vision that precludes you from seeing the good in your life here and now, or being present in both body and mind with your family and friends rather than in body only as your mind remains fixated on getting to that future vision state? Do you often skip dinner invites or come home from work much later…