Are your betting your happiness on the future?

It's been an incredible few weeks since I sat in ceremony and as I continue to integrate the experience, I've been able to observe and find beauty in everything in life.

Love is found and experienced in the present moment.

It's made me realise that for so much of my own life, I lived in my thoughts of the future, which ultimately distracted, and prevented, me from enjoying all that life has to offer in the present moment.

I've reflected on how many of us are constantly looking forward to a goal or an outcome and because of this addiction to wanting/needing more, we never fully live.

I've coached countless clients on this subject and there is a pattern to be observed, that we never, or very rarely, feel fully satisfied or content.

We think;

I'll be happy when we have a certain amount of money in the bank.

I'll live fully once we've sold our business.

I'll feel whole once I've met a partner.

I'll be happy once I've bought my dream home.

I'll love myself once I look a certain way.

The list goes on.

Yet, it's all an illusion that keeps us imprisoned in a perpetual cycle of always chasing and grasping at something that is just outside of our reach.

The crazy thing is, when we realise or achieve these goals/outcomes, we find that we are still not fully satisfied, and so our mind moves to the next outcome or goal and the game begins again.

Is this something you experience?

Are you putting your happiness and joy on hold by projecting it on a future event, outcome or goal?

If so, I invite you to pause and consider how this is serving you.

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha

We are all seeking happiness, love, connection, peace and joy, and we spend most of our days trying to find this in relationships, promotions, relationships, material items, and yet we never find it.?

For sure, at times, we may feel moments of satisfaction, joy, peace, connection and love, but then it appears to leave us once we grow tired, bored, triggered or discontent with the very 'thing' that appeared to be the source of our happiness.

This model/approach is what is leading us to consume more, acquire more, work more and chase more, and it's causing us to feel more separate, disconnected and unfulfilled.

The only place we will find that which we are seeking is by going inwards, by realising that all of these experiences we yearn for are found deep within our Soul.

We Are Love.

We Are Joy.

We Are Peace.

If you would like to experience more beauty in life, then begin by being present.

Here are some ways to start ...

• Look deep into your partner's eyes for 3 minutes and notice what you feel and experience - it may feel awkward at first, but I encourage you to stay with it.
• Play with your children without time limits or distractions - be fully in the moment with them and let your inner-child show up
• Sit with friends without your phone on the table or without the need to take a photo for Instagram - listen, engage and enjoy these moments with the people you love
• Go for a walk in nature without needing to reach a destination in a certain time and with no real direction or purpose, other than to enjoy the walk.

We never know when we will take our last breath and so don't delay your happiness or bet it on a future outcome.

Live in the moment and live fully.

Be Here Now.

Much love,

Alister