Each Choice Has a Consequence

In mythology it's written that there are thousands of strands of time and which strand becomes the future depends on the choices that you make in each and every moment. I know it sounds crazy, but what happens to you is shaped by the decisions you make right here, right now. When you put off exercise for another day, you're making a choice the affects your future. When you eat too much or eat foods that you know aren't healthy for you, you're deciding what the future of your health is going to be like.

It's not easy to remember that everything we do has a consequence because we don't see them right away. After eating a pint of ice cream, you can't look in the mirror and see the weight you've gained. After eating foods containing pesticides, chemicals, and additives, you can't look at your internal organs and see how they're affected. The change is gradual, but each choice leads to an end result.

This is why it's important to be grounded in the present and be mindful of your actions. When you're living in the moment, you know why you need to exercise and why you're choosing to eat healthy foods. You can make choices that support you, your health, and your life goals. Being mindful gives us the awareness to notice when we're doing something for immediate gratification. Exercising may not be as entertaining as watching a TV show or reading a book, but the benefits pay off in the long run. The same cannot always be said of watching TV or reading novels.

There are a number of ways to become more mindful and more present. One thing you can do is follow your breath. Slowly breathe in and out and notice how it feels. Pay attention to the sensations in your body as you fill it with oxygen. You can also imagine your body being firmly planted on the ground. In this method, you're literally rooting yourself to the earth. Imagine roots growing out of your feet and into the ground. (If you're a bit skeptical, then that's probably not the approach that you want to try.)

For those who are more visual, having a rubber band on your wrist can help. And before you ask: No, you're not going to snap it. When you find yourself drifting into thoughts of the past or the future, what has been or what could be, switch the rubber band to the other wrist. Livestrong bracelets (or anything rubber bracelet like that) are great visual aids. Personally, I have a tattoo on my wrist that say "vision." It's a one-word reminder of something Debbie Ford said while I was in school: "Whenever you make a decision, reference your vision." In other words, don't sacrifice your long-term gains for short-term pleasures. Does it always work? Absolutely not. I can get just as caught up as anyone else. But has it made a difference? Definitely. The time it takes me to realize a mistake and try to correct it has lessened greatly.

If you're unhappy with the way things are now, know that you don't need to change your entire being or your entire lifestyle. Sometimes all you need to do is make one or two simple changes. Little things create big things. Your life is the result of thousands of small, seemingly insignificant decisions. I bet you can tell exactly which habits and behaviors got you to this moment.