The Present Moment

Today I looked back at when I began this blog and I am aware that I have word by word wandered my way off the original goal of this blog.
I have a similar story. My family has big annual camping trips. I was about seven that year, our family camp was set up in a clearing at the edge of an inviting thick forest.  My cousins and I were preparing to roast marshmallows. I had a goal, I would get a willow branch and bring it back to my Pop. When looking at the edge of the woods I saw the white tail of a deer bouncing off into the woods. I followed the bounce, bounce, pause, bounce of deer for some time. Then I saw a small bit of blue in the distance, indicating a pond. At the pond I saw a beaver. I sat quietly and watched the beaver building his damn.

Next thing I remember was sitting inside the camper and watching my cousins roasting their sweet, soft cornered squares of sugar. I can imagine my parents did not appreciate the worry I provided by wandering off by myself and I did not appreciate not getting to share in the marshmallow roasting. 

I think it is a blessing to be in the present moment. However, it is a challenge to live in the present moment and to set clear intentions.
Does anyone know how to do that?

Sitting on the Couch

There is this wonderful tool that is so helpful in getting rid of any lingering emotions that weigh heavy on your heart. It is not that B.S. of,"just feel happy", or" just be grateful you are alive". It is not anything that removes you from what is sitting on your couch, staring at you with only the intensity that a lingering emotion can do. What you need to do is walk over and

sit down next to it on the yellow checkered couch, look it directly in the eyes, and say, "Okay I am ready. What do you want?" Then listen/feel. Don't listen to any voices other than that of your feelings, especially those visitors that masquerade as feelings: they go by the names of guilt, shame or any other pesky emotions associated with not being good enough or broken. Who you are sitting with on the couch is sorrow, anger, joy ect. If you really listen, I mean really listen, they tell you who you are, like a loving person, that needs more places to be loving, or a busy person that needs more place to rest, or a hurt person that needs to let their voice be heard.

Then when your done with your chat thank them for reminding you, your alive. Then get up from the couch and tell yourself how valuable you are, and take charge of your day.
My heart is light and joyous today. Not because I have had no pain in my life, but because I have and each day learn who I am and the more l learn the more I like being me.