10 Tips to Start Living in the Present

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"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” - Buddha

One of the best, unforeseen consequences of simplifying our lives is that it has allowed us to begin living our lives in the present. Eliminating nonessential possessions freed us from many of the emotions associated with past lives that were keeping us stuck there. And clearing our home has allowed us the freedom to shape our lives today around our most important values.

Choosing to live in the past or the future not only robs you of enjoyment today, it robs you of truly living. The only important moment is the present moment. With that goal in mind, consider this list of ten tips below to start living your life in the present:

Remove unneeded possessions. Minimalism forces you to live in the present. Removing items associated with past memories or lives frees us up to stop living in the past and start living in the present.

Smile. Each day is full of endless possibilities! Start it with a smile. You are in control of your attitude every morning, keep it optimistic and expectant.

Fully appreciate the moments of today. Soak in as much of today as you possibly can – the sights, the sounds, the smells, the emotions, the triumph, and the sorrow.

Forgive past hurts. If you are harboring resentment towards another human being because of past hurts, choose to forgive and move on. The harm was their fault. But allowing it to impact your mood today is yours.

Love your job. If you just “survive” the workweek constantly waiting for the next weekend “to get here,” you are wasting 71% of your life (5 out of 7 days). there are two solutions: 1) find a new job that you actually enjoy (it’s out there), or 2) find something that you appreciate about your current career and focus on that rather than the negatives.

Dream about the future, but work hard today. Dream big. Set goals and plans for the future. But working hard today is always the first step towards realizing your dreams tomorrow. Don’t allow dreaming about tomorrow to replace living in today.

Don’t dwell on past accomplishments. If you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you haven’t done much today.

Stop worrying. You can’t fully appreciate today if you worry too much about tomorrow. Realize that tomorrow is going to happen whether you worry about it or not. And since worry has never accomplished anything for anybody, redirect your mental energy elsewhere.

Think beyond old solutions to problems. Our world is changing so fast that most of yesterday’s solutions are no longer the right answers today. Don’t get locked into a “but that’s how we’ve always done it” mentality. Yesterday’s solutions are not today’s solutions and they are certainly not tomorrow’s solutions.

Conquer addictions. Addictions in your life hold you hostage. They keep you from living a completely free life today. Find some help. Take the steps. And remove their influence over your life.

If you can only live one moment at a time, you might as well make it the present…

-by Joshua Becker (source)

what will you choose?

Sometimes we walk down the road we want and even though we see warnings like rocks on the way that we stumble upon on, we keep on. It isn't until we fall in the face, break our lips and bleed, that we notice maybe this is not the way....

If I had to choose this very moment, I would run to my dreams, cause reality sometimes is just too much for me....

I have been inspired...

And I have bought my own Moleskine, and I hereby promise myself I will fill it up with all sorts of thoughts, and pictures and inspiration until the very last page. 

I have always bought so many journals since very young and I hardly ever even start them. I can actually say I have a collection of them by now, and sadly most of them are completely blank and brand-new *sighs* But I will fill this one up *crosses fingers* Come on, who can't resist it after reading this and this.

♥

sources from Hey Michelle, Gala Darling, and The Drifter and the Gypsy 

and then she will turn around and smile

"In a few breaths' time will speak some sad words to you. But you must hear them the same way we have agreed to see scars now. Sad words are just another beauty. A sad story means, this storyteller is alive. The next thing you know, something fine will happen to her, something marvelous, and then she will turn around and smile."

I have just finished reading "Little Bee" and I am speechless all I can say, like a little kid who just witnessed something beautiful, is "wow." I seem to have underline about every other page with beautiful quotes. You can surely guarantee I will be looking for other books by Chris Cleave.
And you may ask, "How did I come upon this little treasure?" Well read it here

mind-opener

"La vida no es esperar a que pase la tormente, es aprender a bailar bajo la lluvia."

picture source here

if I can live anywhere else in the world it would be....

Greece

I'm just in love with everything about it. I love its old white-washed structures with its blue doors, domes and details. Its arquitecture is gorgeous with so many homes, temples and monuments congested together. And the scenery? There are just no words to describe it, is just breathtaking, and I have not even experience it with my own eyes. I can just see myself walking through its little narrow passages through its mountainous ranges that slice into celestial waterscapes- can you say heaven? I just love its mountainous landscapes and the feeling of looking down and being able to capture so much, opening a window and staring into its sapphire blue Mediterranean waters, and having everything so clustered together. There's so much nature and so much history in every corner. I love how every angel seems to face somewhere, and just by going out to your balcony you can see your neighbor's door, you look up and see another neighbor's balcony, and you look to the side and something else is there, you take a few steps and you are at their place. As much as I love my New York City, I cant say that much about its views. Looking out my bedroom window all I see is concrete and some other tight-closed windows. Looking out through my kitchen I have a decent view of tall and short buildings all around me and a few greens and blues, but mostly everything is shades of brown and gray concrete arquitecture. I most say our nights are gorgeous, with all our twinkling lights and bright signs but I most say I'll give it all up for some clean air, warm-sea breezes and peaceful ethereal scenes. I don't think I'll ever find a place more beautiful than Greece with all its mazes of intriguing little streets with hidden treasures. I need to visit here one day but I need minimum a whole week of strolling around its narrow stone-step streets, and it's charming terraces, gorgeous courtyards, romantic restaurants, and of course relaxing and enjoying its to-die-for celestial sceneries. These pictures don't even capture all the rest you can find of gorgeous Greece.

All pictures are from Flckr from Oia Village in the island of Santorini, Greece

some pretty little things

from top to bottom: second picture of Anabella (when she was 2-years-old and me). Other pictures from weheartit.com

five random things that made me smile today

1. My boyfriend texting me “te amo mi vida” ♥
2. One of my friends waking me up with a “good morning”
3. having my cousin Yokaira tell her sister that “she [as in me Zaira Mabel] feels my happiness.” Because I literally do.
4. hearing my little niece Anabella still calls the guest room in her house “Zaira’s room.”
5. googling my name and having my facebook and iheart account come up first thing (every other Zaira Mabel falls behind >:). Trying it again, this time with my name and last name, and again coming up first :) hehehe Makes me all giddy for no reason

urban outfitters

I absolutely love Urban Outfitters spring catalog '10, the shots are so inspiring

this picture up here reminds me of my grandfather’s place in “mi Quisqueya la bella.” Actually, everything vintage reminds me of my country. Maybe that’s why I’m so in love with antique pictures and objects, clothes, anything you name it. See the old radio in the picture next to the bed? Theres also a flashlight next to it. I love these little details that tell us of simpler times and places. The picture looks so effortless with its antique twin-bed, cracked old walls, even to the sheer white curtain- so simple yet adds those perfect aged touches. The picture below is another perfect example on how simple a picture can be, yet absolutely delicate and beautiful. I love how the sun is hitting the picture in between the shadows.

salt on my hair

Last night  I dreamt I was a mermaid and woke up with salt on my hair and sand on my shoes. But in the light of day, the salt itches my skin, and the sand bothers my toes. I scratch, I rub off, I shove -yet trying to remain what I once was. I breathe in whispers of what others can’t understand. I try to speak, but words are yet to come out. I just want to sing, so that no one will forget who I was, who I am. But the day has uncovered my veil and I don’t look as beautiful as I once was. It’s hard to breathe in with no water to cover my eyes from all this pollution, all these scattered letters and lies of what was once beautiful.  I need someone’s arms to guide me along, I’m not as strong without my seas. I look down at my legs, yet I don’t know how to use them. I want to run far, stretch my arms and laugh, but the salt on my skin itches and the sand in my shoes bothers my toes

summer books

I'm having those weeks where you just can’t wait for summer to arrive, not even spring, don’t get me wrong I love spring as well. But today I crave for those sticky hot summer days where you just want to go to the park lay out at the highest point you can find next to a nice tree shadow to feel the hardly-existant warm breeze run through your legs, all the while reading a good old summer book. Ahhh…the good days.

And then, end the day going home through this gorgeous lane (well my NYC lanes have a little more concrete buildings all around ha but yeah one can always dream…:)

the best seven minutes in a video

You may disregard the following video, thinking it’s some silly unimportant next video that will just waste your time. But whether you know me or not, trust me, about 80% of the people who have seen this video have thanked me and/or added it to their faves, the rest have loved it beyond words, just like I ;)

balloons

photograph from "The Boy with the Red Balloon"

I have always had a fascination with balloons. They bring me childhood memories filled with birthday parties, games, smiles and laughs. Balloons make a statement. They are bold, bright, colorful, and float up in the air as in “I am here look at me.” Bring a friend presents, chocolates, flowers, and they may go unnoticed by crowds, but bring balloons along tied to a present (if any or even a card) and it will surely stand out. Their transparency, bright or soft pastel colors are truly beautiful. They call out festivities; Balloons say, “your day is worth a celebration.” The best thing about balloons is that you can be so creative with them, they are not only limited to birthdays, but for example- you can also give all pink balloons for friendship day and all red balloons (my faves) for valentines or any other romantic occasion. All white balloons are also used for special ceremonies such as weddings or baptisms. Give me balloons anytime of the year and I’ll be happy- filled with days when magic existed and games were our priority and tickle-fights came as easy as children’s laughs and smiles.

I’m in love with the soft pastels and 70’s inspired theme used in this photograph above. The balloons add the perfect touch.