Living in the Now 08/06/2012

I am reading a book by Dr. Henry Cloud called The Law of Happiness:  How Spiritual Wisdom and Modern Science Can Change Your Life.  An exercise that he reccomends is savor two pleasurable experiences each day and take a few moments to relish a normal experience.

Yesterday was a hard day.  It was filled with anger and doubt.  Anger with myself for standing still for so long.  Doubt on how to move forward, even though I know what part of it is.  And I know that it will probably cause me pain.

But in my quest for a Happy life, which I am decidedly not living at the moment, I want to begin these exercises.  I have hope that it can change the way that I think.

Pleasurable Experiences:
1.)  Geocaching.  This was fun because it made me excited about where I am.  I was happy and content to explore the area that I had chosen.  I investigated new places that I wouldn't have otherwise.  For instance, I took some time to walk around a chapel that I had seen from the highway for years.

2.)  The sound of a high school marching band in the distance.  It gave me this picture of community, and how the students were practicing together for a common goal.  How their participation in this group hopefully led to greater satisfaction at school, since they would find friends within this group.

Oh look at this!  I am recalling a third memorable pleasurable experience.  I didn't even know there was one.

3.)  The sound of children screaming and playing on a playground in the distance.  In the dusky light, I could see them swinging high on the swing set.  So high that they were screaming in delight or fear.  I am not sure which.  It was a powerful emotion either way.  In my mind's eye, I could see them gathering.  Sitting around shooting the bull.  Or chasing each other on the equipment.  I imagined many of them.

Relishing a normal experience:

In retrospect I am relishing this.  Petting my dog mira as we lay on the bed ready for sleep.  She is so sweet and looks at me with the most sorrowful and trusting eyes.