Getting to know our mind is vital, yet we converse with it constantly creating negative outcomes such as despondency or anxiety.

Rumination as a voice from our mind is often  ”Why didn’t I?” Why didn’t I stop myself from being foolish or saying the wrong thing? Here is what I should have done … but we cannot change what has been done or said.

Anticipation as a voice from our mind is often  “What if?”  What if this happens and I am ruined, never recover, will always be alone and many more awful outcomes? … but we cannot know or react to something that has not only not eventuated but is most likely not going to be the end result.

This never ending mind activity harms our equilibrium and creates moods or states that eventually shape our personality. What can we do?

I’ve sure you’ve heard before to live in the present and make every moment count. Be mindful.

I agree, and when I do hear it I manage to be present for about 5 minutes before I go back to thinking about the past or the future. It can be a struggle to stay in the now, especially when you’re faced with challenges in life.

But there’s a reason why mindfulness has become so popular. It seems so simple to “just embrace the present moment”, but it is critical  to living a healthy and fulfilling life. It’s not fanciful either, this Harvard Study found that people who were more focused on tasks, rather than daydreaming, were happier.

This quote from Eckhart Tolle describes why present moment awareness can lead us from suffering:

“As soon as you honour the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and life begins to flow with joy and ease. When you act out the present-moment awareness, whatever you do becomes imbued with a sense of quality, care, and love—even the most simple action.”

In summary:

Rumination “Why didn’t I?”.

Anticipation “What if?”.

Remind yourself to be present each day.