There is a lot of talk about staying present in the circles I run with ~ be it in yoga philosophy, women’s soul seeking gatherings, conversations amongst birthworkers, or in Catholic theology, the topic of staying present to your life is overtly, for lack of a better way to say it, present.

It’s almost as if the ancient aspect of time keeps coming into all our lives to remind us of getting the most of what we’ve got. I found the following principles have helped me to remember the magic of now, and I want to share them with you for your sweet and abundant life.

 1. Forgive: I had this day where I was heavy and sad from decisions I had made in my past. I went to the ocean (luckily I was by the ocean) and I decided to do a short prayer, write the word forgive in the sand and watch the ocean take it away. I was able to forgive myself for my mistakes. Doing this made me remember how  our bodies are always fighting for homeostasis and balance. Once I let forgiveness in, it was if I was allowed to move onward in my mind with freedom.

2. Let go of comparing yourself: Have you ever heard the quote by Theodore Roosevelt “Comparison is the thief of joy”?  I believe this quote is true in so many ways. I like to think that when we start to compare ourselves it’s really just a deeper message of ourselves needing to be articulated. But that deeper message of ourselves often doesn’t have the language to communicate, so they often come out as comparison to the other. Make magic of your comparison–use it as a spring board that reminds you of what you want to achieve or be in life.

3. Take lots of action:  What do you want from your life? What is one thing you can do to have that which you want from your life? Do it. Do it. Do it every single freaking day and you will see results. You will start to live the life you want if you take action towards that life.

4. Get out of your way: There is this one prayer in yoga tradition to Ganesh, the mythological figure that is invoked to remove our obstacles, the thresholds of life. I don’t really know how it completely translates into English from Sanskrit, but it basically boils down to being able to get out of your own way. Sometimes, we are our biggest block to accessing the life you want. Try to surrender to your desires and life and this moment to get out of your own way. Also…

5. Be mindful of others: In communion with what I wrote above, the best way to get out of your own way is to recognize that other people exist and have dreams, goals, desires, and wants from their life, too. Do some service in your community to be access the other person. This service can be as simple as holding the door open for someone and smiling. We are all connected so deeply and profoundly.

6. Stop repeating your story: We are made up of our stories, from who we are to what we experience. But the truth is that our stories become bigger and bigger the more we tell them. This is especially true when something bad/sad/traumatic happens in our life. Those sad stories of ourself are like heavy cloaks that many of us don’t realize we can take off when we want. Yet, we all have the power to stop repeating the story that keeps us from the now. Use your power to find a new story, the story of you living the life you want and desire.

7. Do a ritual every day: Make a promise to yourself to do one thing that is the same, every day, that reminds you of the life you want. For me, it’s taking at least one walk, no matter what the weather. This helps me beat the blues and get into my body. And usually I have fresh ideas and a deeper appreciation for the world when I do so. Rituals can be simple or complex– but it’s the intention of staying true to the promise of yourself that makes it important.

I believe in these principles, or secrets, to get you into the life you want in this very moment. You may experience crying, fear, and unknowing as you take your path. But you know what, that path is yours ~ you gorgeous, loving, all powerful you.