“We are in a freefall into the future,” wrote mythologist Joseph Campbell.
We don’t know what will happen. We want to believe in a positive outcome, while we also fear that the future will bring suffering.
All we can really control is our intention. Then we need to stop dwelling on whether our work will bring the desired outcome or result in disappointment. How do we get out of our own way?
The point of power is in the present. Practicing mindfulness brings us back again and again to what we are perceiving, sensing, experiencing now. Only by focusing on what is happening now can we participate fully in our own transformation and manifest the things we place our intention on.
In addition to practicing mindfulness meditation and being mindful during our daily activities, there is another way to fully engage with the present and allow things to unfold without worry. That way is through engaging with mindful, expressive writing.
When you write with full attention to express your thoughts and emotions, you are writing mindfully. Through writing, you become able to observe your feelings, along with physical and mental sensations. This activity brings connectedness to your experiences and joins your inner and outer lives together.
“People who engage in expressive writing report feeling happier and less negative than before writing. Similarly, reports of depressive symptoms, rumination, and general anxiety tend to drop in the weeks and months after writing about emotional upheavals.”
From “Writing to Heal” by James W. Pennebaker
Research shows that by writing and reflecting on our stories, we can gain insights into how we might deal with obstacles to our emotional well-being.
By writing not only about facts but also feelings, and not only what happened but how you felt about it, you can assemble a coherent story. This process can bring a sense of relief, expand your perspective, and help you gain insights into your life circumstances.
Writing can be used along with the coaching process. Writing your thoughts, plans, and goals can help you move forward. You can use mindfulness and writing to better understand where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you would like to be in the future.
“The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh
