Give yourself permission to enjoy.
There is a Buddhist parable about a monk who is walking the mountains when he is confronted by a fierce tiger. The tiger chases him to the edge of a cliff. Below the cliff is the sea. The monk chooses to lower himself over the cliff on a thick vine. As he hangs on the vine, he sees a plant with leaves and one bright red strawberry. He picks it and eats it, savoring the sweetness.
When you are being chased by tigers in your mind—how you wish life was different, that other people and circumstances would change so you could be happy—stop. You are allowed to enjoy life, especially when it’s messy.
Enjoyment is when something gives you keen satisfaction. Learn to enjoy the sweet moments—playing with your dog, a conversation with your child or husband, a nice note from a friend, a good night’s sleep.
What gets in the way.
Limiting thoughts and beliefs block us from enjoying the present moment. The delusion that the chaos of life will stop, and in that nanosecond, we are allowed to enjoy ourselves, needs to be jettisoned!
Enjoyment Experiment
- Circle the limiting beliefs that resonate with you.
“I’m not allowed to enjoy this (gift, time off, vacation, novel, conversation) until:
- I lose these last 5 lbs.
- My house is clean
- My son does better in school
- My husband stops annoying me
- I’ve caught up my emails
- I’ve completed my to-do list
- I’ve earned it
2. Give yourself permission to enjoy this moment.
Text a friend with one way you are going to spend time enjoying the present moment.
Text your friend once you’ve completed it.
3. Replace your limiting thought or belief with an empowering one.
“Successful women make time for themselves, enjoy the present moment, free from worry and anxiety, and I am a successful woman.”
4. Look to past experiences where you were about to be eaten by situations and were saved.
Today is not a dress rehearsal.
Email me at moira@moiralethbridge.com and share how you enjoyed one moment today.