One of the most straightforward ways to reduce your quality of life is to become transfixed by the past or the future. When you do this, you remove yourself from the place you inhabit: the here and now. This behavior distorts your view and makes it hard to appreciate what is in front of you.
On the other hand, if you try to consciously engage with the moment, you are in (the present), the world blossoms like a flower. As your senses attune to your surroundings and you try to absorb, rather than gloss over, what you are observing, the results will amaze you.
What occurs is that you begin to relish the simple things. What is more, you discover that there is not a single, simple thing.
Anything you observe closely opens doors to new universes of possibility. This beautiful, life-affirming process is facilitated by the following behaviors:
- Cultivate Something (interacting with something that needs care demonstrates the interaction between things, reveals the conditions of the moment, and what is required to satisfy them)
- Slow Down (moving swiftly makes you tread on things)
- Quiet Your Mind (sit by a stream, walk in nature, and allow silence to enfold you)
- Step Outside Yourself (lend a hand, listen to someone, foster compassion)
Cultivate Something
This cultivating can be literal, like planting something and taking care of it. It can also mean creating something with people around you and trying to assist it in thriving. The point is that engaging with life in a manner that requires consistent focus reveals the relationship between contrasting parts and refines your awareness.
In the case of a plant, you begin to understand the dynamic relationship between soil, sun, moisture level, and other environmental factors. You see that things are far from static, and what was simple on the surface is filled with complexity. This increased dimension adds great richness to your life.
Slow Down
It is hard to relish the simple things, or anything at all when you are constantly racing from place to place or task to task. Without pausing to observe your surroundings, feel the sensations in your body, and tune in, the best of life will pass you by.
On the other hand, breathing deeply, refining your senses through quiet observation, deep listening, practicing emotional awareness of your body, and mindfully chewing and tasting your food will dramatically increase the quality of your experience. This awareness sets you up to live your best life.
Quiet Your Mind
Creating a space for quiet in your life can be one of the simplest ways to improve cognitive function. Daily rituals of even a few minutes of silence, breathwork, or meditation can do wonders for mental clarity and stillness.
Step Outside Yourself
Sometimes the best way to see the good in life and relish the simple things is by getting out of your head. When you engage in acts of service, placing someone else’s needs above your own, it provides perspective. You feel compassion for another’s experience, and you care about improving their circumstances. This insight broadens your view and reduces the significance of your own problems.
Whether you try one or all the suggestions, you will reap rewards in your life. Being present and cultivating conscious engagement will only add to the beauty of your existence, a key component of living your best life.
