Try one, more than one, or all of the following exercises to access the present moment.

As you do the exercises below retain your focus for at least three minutes. The longer you stay focused the longer you’ll be in the present moment.

If you start thinking about dinner; what’s on television; the shopping etc, then you are no longer in the present but the future or possibly the past. If this happens refocus on your breathing to again be aware of the present moment.

Sit and be still, as in do nothing except become aware of the rise and fall of your chest as you breathe in and out, listening to the sound of your breath.

To become fully present try focusing on what is happening inside yourself. Do you have hunger pains? Are you cold/hot? Move your tongue around inside your mouth and feel your teeth.

Hear the sounds of people, traffic, music and anything else that is around you at this present moment.

Become aware of the color's around you, the color's of your clothing, the furniture, the seat you’re in, the color's surrounding the windows and doors within your line of sight.

Start to feel the texture of the materials you come in contact with. Right now feel the texture of the clothing you’re wearing, is it soft, rough, cool, warm, fluffy? Do you notice the weave of the shirt, trousers or skirt you’re wearing?

Put your hands together and start massaging your palms. Do you notice the lines in your palms, does your skin feel dry, smooth or rough. Now massage the tops of your hands. Do you notice any differences?

Concentrate only on what you are doing right now. Nothing else exists while you are concentrating on the task at hand. When you do this you are in the present moment, tomorrow and yesterday no longer exist there is only you and this moment.

When you have conversations with others, be there with them. Listen attentively; match their tone, speed, volume and pitch and also their breathing rate.

Face yourself in a mirror. Practice smiling at yourself, poke out your tongue, notice whether your shoulders rise and fall as you breathe, inspect the color of your eyes, are your shoulders straight or lopsided? Be totally present with yourself.

If you still have some problems accessing the here and the now, becoming aware of Self and practicing Mindfulness is taught on the Meditation and Clarity and Balance Program I & II.
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Michaela is a Transformational Coach, certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), writer and intuitive who is totally committed to helping others create positive and action oriented changes to their lives.

Michaela is the author of several e-books and publisher of a monthly newsletter called From My Desk.

You can find out what her website offers at www.michaelascherr.com