Being Present: Can Childhood Trauma Make It Hard For Someone To Be Present?

One thing that is often spoken about in self-development is the importance of being present. In some cases, this is seen as the answer to every problem and, in others, it is just seen as something that will allow someone to function better.
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So when someone is present, they won’t be caught up in what happened in the past and they won’t be caught up in what might happen in the future either. Their attention will be in the now.

An Illusion

It has been said that there is no such thing as the past or the future and that there is only an ever-present now moment. Even so, someone’s mind will create the impression that there is a past and a future.

Therefore, while there will only be the present, someone will have a mind that won’t be able to accept this. One way of looking at this would be to say that their mind has to be this way or else it wouldn’t have a reason to exist.

Embracing Life

When one is able to live a life where they generally live in the present moment, they won’t be weighed down by what has happened in the past or caught up in what they think might happen in the future. They will be in the now, which is the only place where they will have any power.

Also, through being in the moment, they will be able to focus and to fully show up. Their awareness is then not going to be in their head, focusing on something else – it will be in their body, in the present moment.

Another Benefit

What they are also likely to find, as a result of living in this way, is that it is a lot easier for them to respond to life. Being in their body and in the now moment will mean that they won’t be caught up in something that took place last week or last year, for instance.

If they were, not only would it stop them from being able to be present, but it could also cause them to overreact to something. Another person could politely ask them something and they could end up losing it.

A Pleasant Experience

Being this way, then, will stop them from getting worked up and having a go at someone for no reason. This is naturally going to have a positive effect on their relationships, with the people in their life knowing that one typically won’t get worked up over nothing.

These people can feel comfortable around them and know that it is safe for them to talk to them about most things. One is not going to be seen as someone who is unstable and expects other people to walk on eggs shells around them.

Staying Centred

If they did have the tendency to get worked up, it probably wouldn’t do their health any good in the long run. Thus, being present is going to make it easier for them to make good decisions and it will be easier for them to stay calm and relaxed.

Another part of this is that when there is unrest around them, they won’t need to get pulled into what is taking place. Once again, this will be good for their health and their ability to think rationally in such moments.

A Very Different Reality

Although this is how some people will experience life, there are going to be plenty of others that have a very different experience. For someone like this, they may rarely be in the present moment.

Most of their time could be spent thinking about what took place in the past and what might happen in the future. This will show that they find it hard to be in their body and to be in the now moment.

Unaware

Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean that one will realise that this is what is taking place. Instead, they may typically believe that what is taking place in their mind is a reflection of what is taking place externally.

What this means is that one is going to be projecting what is taking place in their mind onto the external world without even being aware of it. Living in this way is likely to take a lot out of them, with them spending a lot of time feeling exhausted.

A Closer Look

It could be normal for them to overreact and to create unnecessary drama, to feel fearful and scared when they are completely safe, and to think irrationally and to make poor decisions. It could seem that they just need to learn how to observe their mind and to not get caught up in what is taking place inside them.

This could be it, or what it may show is that they are carrying a fair amount of trauma. If one has been this way for as long as they can remember, it may show is that their early years were anything but nurturing.

A Rough Time

During this stage of their life, they may have experienced some kind of abuse and/or neglect. The view that they have of the world and the people in it as an adult will be a reflection of what it was like for them as a child.

It won’t matter how many years have passed since this time in their life as they will still be carrying the trauma that they experienced. Until this is dealt with, it will be more or less impossible for them to embrace the present moment.

Awareness

If one can relate to this, and they want to transform their life, they may need to reach out for external support. This is something that can be provided by the assistance of a therapist or a healer.

Mindfulness – Focusing the Attention of the Mind Into the Present Moment

Alright. Today’s topic for this week is a practice called “Mindfulness”. The key to being mindful is to focus the attention of the mind into the present moment. So if presently you are listening to this message, you focus your mind entirely into the message.

Mindfulness then, would be the practice of ignoring any other distractions that might come in while you are paying attention, either listening to or reading this particular message. If you were to practice mindfulness while you are falling asleep, you would fall asleep much faster. If you were to practice mindfulness maybe while doing something that is pleasurable to you, you will find much more pleasure in it. Practicing mindfulness while smelling a cup of tea, you will find that you probably love the aroma and when you taste it, it will taste differently than the aroma that you were loving. The same is true of food.

So when we are mindful and we focus our attention into one activity, it changes the experience. Sometimes you can use this say for an addiction. Maybe you really like your beer or something and you think about the beer and something begins to transform. There is a physical reaction. Your stress hormones begin to change; a variety of things happen.

Well, just focus your mindfulness 100%. It might be ice cream you are craving, whatever it is, and then go ahead and feel it, smell it, focus your mind entirely on it, not the result that you are expecting like “I’ll feel relaxed” or “I’ll feel comforted” or “I’ll be distracted from my real emotions”. Whatever else is going on.

Be mindful 100% with that item of your addiction. It may be drugs, sex, food, alcohol, whatever it is and stay with it and you will find that because you are mindfully attentive, it is not producing the normal side effect that you are used to. Oftentimes substituting with something very simple like taking some trace colloidal minerals, take a mineral supplement, and maybe a little Vitamin C or Ester C with it and maybe some MSM. Take that instead and some water and wait. And then if it comes back again, focus mindfulness into that whatever it is and see if anything has changed.

All right dear ones. That has been your Spirituality Article, information for this particular week. As always we appreciate very much that you help spread the information. It is complimentary.

Christmas 2012 Present Buying Guide Full of Great Gift Ideas

It’s that time of year. The time when you have to rack your brain for present ideas… Some come easy, such as the nephew who plays soccer or the daughter who is a dancer. However what about for those Hard to Buy for people? What do you get those people who you just can’t seem to think of anything for?

Well in this Guide I’m going to address both the best Presents for this Christmas, as well as the best presents for the “hard to buy for” People in your life. So let’s get into it!

Top Selling Presents this year:

1. Apple Accessories:
It is really no surprise to anyone that Apple is still the hottest thing around. With 1 in 2 households owning something apple, there really is no shortage of gift idea’s here. Be it a new phone case, A IPod Dock, or a I pad keyboard. Apple is a great place to start your shopping

2. Sporting Memorabilia
Now this depends on the persons tastes, But 85% of Australian’s follow some form of sport. So grab them a Scarf or bumper sticker for a fail proof gift.

3. For Boys and Men: Video Games
This year has been packed with great game releases. If the Boy or man you’re looking to buy for loves kicking back with the Xbox for a little R&R then check out the new Halo 4, Assassins Creed 3, FIFA 13 and Ridge Racer Unbounded

4. For the Lady in your Life: A New Jewellery Box
Did you get her earrings last year, and a necklace the year before that? Well its now time to get her somewhere special to keep them all. All women Love a new jewellery Box. Get one with a classy design, and several compartments. And don’t forget; if you want extra points put a small something special inside for her.

5. For your Son
The Little man in your life will love many things such as the batman DVD collection: The Dark Knight Trilogy Box Set or a new set of glasses.

6. For your Daughter
We all know that young ladies can be difficult. However you can’t go passed the traditional “Girly” Accessories. A New handbag, Pair of sunglasses, or a Gift voucher for Myers and you can take her on her very own Shopping Spree!

7. For your Parents: A Kindle
The world is a changing, Yet the simply joys in life such as reading remain the same. Grab your parents a Kindle from Amazon, and pre-load it with several of their favourite books!

Now for those “But I have no idea what to get them” People.

The majority of the population will set themselves New-Year’s resolutions on December 31St, So why not get them something that will help them achieve them.

1. A Set of New Body Fat Scales
Over half the country will set the goal to lose weight in 2013, so give them a helping hand with a new set of Body Fat Scales

2. A Gym Starter Pack
For those who don’t want to lose weight, a large amount will aim to “Get in shape” in 2013. We know its much the same thing, However a gym Starter pack will set them on the right track. Include items such as a Gym Towel, Pedometer, Tape measure and Callipers so they can track their results. Oh and don’t forget a water bottle!

3. A Kitchen Scale
Cooking is an essential part of life. Everyone does it, even if they don’t admit it. So grab your mother, your sister or that friend from work a new Kitchen scale and give them the gift of better tasting cooking in 2013.

Well there you have it. A fully comprehensive Christmas Buying Guide. I hope that it helps take the pressure off this Christmas season!

If you found this guide useful please click “Yes” below, so more people can find this guide this year!

Yours in Health and Well-Being

Joel