3 Easy Ways to Better Days March 10, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Happiness, Humor, Mindfulness.trackback
1. The easiest way to have a better day . . . mindful moments.
Press the PAUSE button and check in with your surroundings ~ what do you see, smell, hear, feel, taste, touch, and sense?
Claim the Moment. Notice what’s happening.
Put your To Do list aside for a moment and Be Here Now:
* If you’re eating, taste your food.
* If you’re listening to music or nature, hear the notes.
* If you’re peeling an orange or spy a rose, smell the fragrance.
* If you’re walking, notice the miracle of movement.
Our best days are filled with mindful moments when we’re not pulled into the past, pushed into the future, or lost in thought.
We start to “notice the good” and stop taking it for granted.
We’re inspired to make more of the moments of the days of the weeks of the years of our life.
2. Allow your Inner Tigger to surface, pull up a chair, and stay awhile.
Oh, who am I kidding?
Tiggers are way too busy bouncing and giggling to pull up a chair.
You’ll have to pull it up for him.
But remember, you can lead a Tigger to a seat, but you cannot make him sit.
3. Create space for what matters. Have a family game night. Award prizes. Go for a picnic in the park or a walk on the beach. Play on the playground or toss a Frisbee around. Organize a theme night for dinner ~ exotic costumes optional. Have a talent show. Tell jokes. Laugh. Have fun!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Think back to the best days in your life. What made them so special?
Related posts: Moment by Moment (Mindful Balance) * How to Stop your Mind from Talking all the Time (Raptitude)
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Spirit Lights The Way 
You know Nancy I had a moment when you asked what made our best days so special. My best days are definitely when I am laughing. I had lots of best days when I was younger because I truly was living in the moment. I didn’t worry about the future. As I got older and had the responsibilities of an adult I lost the magic of living in the moment. But I am learning to be present right now. And worrying about the future was wearing me out. And worrying about if I did something wrong in the past was wearing me out too.. 🙂
Yes! Laughter is the most key component for me too, Pix. Even a gray day seems sunny when we find things to laugh about.
Your experience is shared by many ~ the cloak of responsibility can weigh us down and wear us out.
Let’s uncover our inner magic!
Less time hearing myself talk… it’s easy to miss those moments you described when one’s own words are vibrating the air all around.
Yup. Vibrating in the air or bouncing about inside our heads like ping pong balls in a lottery machine.
It’s nice to press the MUTE button from time to time.
I’m actively working on that! I’d like to cut back on talking and increase my listening and observing by at least 33%. I can start by recognizing that I am undoubtedly my biggest fan and ardent admirer and that others are not nearly so fascinated by what I have to say.
🙂
You might be interested in this:
http://www.raptitude.com/2014/03/how-to-stop-your-mind-from-talking-so-much/
It’s spring break and I plan on missing a lot of work to goof around with my son! That matters more to me 🙂 Great post, have a wonderful day!
Have FUN, Kate! Sounds like a perfect agenda for spring break ~ picnics, playgrounds, movies, game nights. FUN!
It just makes sense to pay attention to our senses…it’s what is happening now!
I expect you would enjoy the link I added:
http://www.raptitude.com/2014/03/how-to-stop-your-mind-from-talking-so-much/
My senses are working overtime today. The mist cleared about 11:30 and the sun danced in the sky since then. I enjoyed my walk and felt I was walking on a spongy pavement! The birds were singing in the trees and in my heart.
Awesome! Sounds like a great way to enjoy your Birth Day. 😀
I almost feel like I have been reborn!
Excellent! That’s a big fat birthday bonus for ya!
I like #3 – funny I should read that here today… this afternoon, I’ve got a “date” with my boys to go lizard catching in the yard. I have a feeling I’ll be doing more watching than catching, though 🙂
OMG! You are the BEST mom ever. Hope you brought the camera so you didn’t have your hands free to catch reptiles
Where is this “pause” button you speak of? Kidding aside, I learned how to depress it years ago and have long since worn the sheen off of it. 🙂 Good counsel!
Excellent! Here’s to “checking in” with the “what is” instead of “freaking out” with wild imaginings.
This certainly put a smile on my face, Nancy 😀
That’s the BEST place for a smile. 😀
I love, love, love this, Nancy. And for a few moments, my inner Tigger did pull up a chair and enjoyed every minute reading this. You’re so right – the best moments are those moments when we’re fully present to enjoy them.
Yay! Glad you and your inner Tigger enjoyed it, J.
Haha, with two Tiggers in my house, it’s definitely hard to keep them seated sometimes!
{{BOING}} {{BOING}} {{BOING}}
It’s like living in a Bounce House.
I am exploring mindfulness but my mind enjoys talking non-stop. At least these days I am aware of what I am doing and hit the pause button at times but my mind is stubborn. Loved this post. Will check the link you shared on “how to stop your mind from talking so much”. ——>
Bringing awareness to streaming thoughts makes them “self-conscious” about sputtering garbage. Sometimes just checking in (to see what’s going on up there) helps to slow the chatter.
I’m actively working on being present in the moment, Nancy, so this is timely advice. Thank you 🙂
It helps to select “triggers” to use as reminders ~ e.g., touching a doorknob or a lightswitch. Every time you touch the “trigger” . . . check in to make sure you’re present to the moment.
Oh, thanks, I’d never thought of that ~ it would definitely stop my mind from straying too far! 🙂
Val has a great idea for those with smart phones ~ a random chime app.
Love this Nancy! I’m experimenting with an app that chimes randomly through my day. Its my pause button … and free 🙂
Now all I have to do it to get my dog Teddy to stop alert barking when he hears it….. lol
A random chime is an awesome idea for those with smart phones.
Maybe you could give Teddy a reward every time it rings and you press pause? Eventually, he’d associate the sound with “all good things.”
I think the “noticing” is really important. We can really be asleep through the days if we don’t pay attention. Mindful moments! I always appreciate the reminder, Nancy!
Last night, we watched an engaging and fun film about time travel ~> About Time. To add to his happiness, he lead could live a day, then re-live it with a less anxious and more aware attitude. The difference was palpable.
Eventually he learned to get it right The First Time.