The Importance of Being Present in Our Own Lives

No doubt that living day to day can be rough. In fact it can be so rough that anxiety causes us to form self destructive habits. It can be as simple as overeating, smoking, drinking and taking drugs. Often it starts with something little such as overeating or smoking cigarettes that leads to more destructive habits like smoking pot or drinking everyday to be able to deal with life situations or to relax. People that take up these habits are not bad people. Most of them do not realize that these substances take away from us being present in our own lives. What does that mean exactlty?

Being present in our own life is when we are sober, healthy and aware of our surroundings. Taking a walk with your dog and enjoying the breeze that flows around you is being present. Watching kids play baseball and really taking in the moment is being present. Noticing and appreciating all of the little things that God has created for us is being present in our own lives. Having that moment of reflection that brings an amazing rush of happiness and joy to our lives is being present.

When people form addictions they become less and less present in their own lives. A good example of this is the tv show "Intervention". Almost every addict started using due to feelings of depression or anxiety. Maybe something tragic happened to them that hurt them deeply. Everyone's stories are unique and valid. Recognizing these feelings and correcting the behavior is challenging. Most of the time addicts hit rock bottom and are forced into rehab in some way. They do not go unless it is the absolute last choice.

For those who have mild addictions and are aware enough to recognize them, getting help is like standing up and screaming "God loves me and wants me to love me too." Loving ourselves is one of the hardest things that we will ever have to do. Taking care of our bodies is loving ourselves. Being present in our life is loving ourselves. Being able to help other people because we love ourselves is loving ourselves.

God sent us here to be present in our lives. Being present is not always easy. In fact, it can be one of the hardest things that we will ever have to do. Nothing good is easy. So many people are not present in their lives and miss signs that God sends us. Watch the signs and notice them. They will never be bad signs and will come at the right time. We are showing our love for God when we become present in our own lives. Acknowledge His love for us by being present and able to help others spread the good message of love.

Watch for Signs that God Gives Us

After reading numerous books about people having near death experiences there are many common elements in their stories. Many claim to have had a life review. A life review is given to some people who go to the other side and come back to talk about it. Apparently it sounds like it is something that is given to us upon death. It is when we are shown our whole lives on something similar to a tv screen. We watch our whole lives over from start to finish.

What is interesting about this is that while we are watching our lives in a life review we are able to feel what other people felt during our lifetime. We see how our actions effected others and are shown the ripple effect. When we do something good for someone, that person is more likely to help someone else in need because they were helped. The ripple effect can go far beyond what we ever imagined while we were here on earth. When we do something bad, the effects of that action is shown in the ripple effect and we feel the pain that it caused other people.

In the book "Saved by the Light" written by Dannion Brinkley life reviews are talked about in great detail. Dannion was struck by lightening and went to the other side. He served in the military for many years and during that time he killed many people in war. It was his job and he thought that he was doing the right thing by serving his country. His intentions were good but his actions were not. During his life review he has to experience the effects that he had on his victims and their family members when they experienced the loss of a loved one. His life review was not one that he was proud of when it was over.

Dannion's life review caused him to look at the world in a different way. He was not a bad person and did not have bad intentions, however he did bring about pain to many people. This changed him when he was sent back to his body to recover from his injuries. Dannion changed his life around completely and now is very aware of his ripple effect. He does everything that he can to change the course of his life and do as many good things as possible so that when he has his next life review it is a more pleasant experience.

Due to the popularity of the internet and being able to spread more information quickly, more and more people are aware that when they die they will have a life review. A great example of this is in a hit TV show called "My Name is Earl". In an episode called the "Boogyman" that aired for season one Earl is still trying to turn his life around by making things right again with anyone that he ever did anything bad to. He helps a young boy overcome his fear of the dark. During a conversation with this boy he tells him that when we pass on we get to watch our whole life on tv...so make it a good show and do good things for people. This is a prime example of the little signs that God gives us to remind us that we all need to get on a better path in our lives. 

We all need to be aware of our ripple effect and what direction it will go in. Keep sending out that positive energy into the world and you will get it back!