Q: How do I stay in the moment?


1. Train your mind to sit.

The mind is like a puppy: easily distracted. And in the same way you train a puppy, we must train our minds. If you've gotten used to overloading yourself with thoughts of next week, month, and year (we often call this "planning"), stop. Take a moment to breathe deeply. Licking, nibbling, and gnawing obsessively on next week—when this week is still here to be enjoyed—just exhausts you.

2. Stop thinking, start writing.

To-do lists are a wonderful way to stay focused on the moment before you. Start each day by making a list of everything you want to accomplish, then address one thing at a time. Let the list, not your mind, carry the weight.

3. Give yourself permission to feel.

Feelings—even the unpleasant ones—keep us present in our body. Life is a process in which everything that unfolds is meaningful and purposeful. Every feeling has a message and a lesson. Take a moment to feel, listen, and learn.



Iyanla Vanzant is the host of OWN's Iyanla: Fix My Life and the author of Peace from Broken Pieces (SmileyBooks).

Join Iyanla on a journey of Forgiveness in her life changing online course. In this custom on-demand course you can take all six lessons at your own pace, anytime.Sign Up now.

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From the December 2013 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

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