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Longing for the Past

Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:

Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today, we're going to talk about the habit of longing for the past. And so I wanted to talk about this because recently I found myself longing after a time in the past that felt really good. And I think this is a pretty common mental habit, especially when things aren't going so well in our life for some reason. So we kind of look back and dwell in the past and we often kind of romanticize it in our minds.

Oh, it was so good back then. And it's not like that anymore. And I wish it was still like that. The thing is, is that when we're doing this, when we're mentally clinging to a time in the past that felt good, we not only miss out on being fully present where we are. But we also deny ourselves the possibility of letting go of what was so we can be more open to the new adventures and possibilities in our future.

So the more we are attached to the past, the more difficult it is for us to experience the beauty, the abundance, the possibility that's right here, right now. Now, we might think, you know, that if we're going through something really hard right now, we don't want to be present for the here and now, you know. But we forget that the quality of our lives in the future really does depend on the mental foundations that we lay down in this present moment. So the more we're able to meet each moment with presence, wisdom, acceptance, and gratitude, the more we cultivate a background sense of happiness, peace and wellbeing that we can carry forward with us into the rest of our lives. So the next time you find yourself longing for the past, just take a moment to smile for what's been, but then remember to let go of the clinging to what was so you can be fully present for what is.

Perhaps taking a moment to reflect on what you have now that you're grateful for. Perhaps it's the sound of the birds, the breath in your body, the people that care for you, the roof over your head. So in training the mind to be more present and grateful in this way, we lay a foundation for greater fulfillment, peace and freedom of mind in the future. So as always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us. And now let's just begin to settle in for today's meditation.

Melli O'Brien

4.7

Longing for the Past

Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:

Duration

Your default time is based on your progress and is changed automatically as you practice.

Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today, we're going to talk about the habit of longing for the past. And so I wanted to talk about this because recently I found myself longing after a time in the past that felt really good. And I think this is a pretty common mental habit, especially when things aren't going so well in our life for some reason. So we kind of look back and dwell in the past and we often kind of romanticize it in our minds.

Oh, it was so good back then. And it's not like that anymore. And I wish it was still like that. The thing is, is that when we're doing this, when we're mentally clinging to a time in the past that felt good, we not only miss out on being fully present where we are. But we also deny ourselves the possibility of letting go of what was so we can be more open to the new adventures and possibilities in our future.

So the more we are attached to the past, the more difficult it is for us to experience the beauty, the abundance, the possibility that's right here, right now. Now, we might think, you know, that if we're going through something really hard right now, we don't want to be present for the here and now, you know. But we forget that the quality of our lives in the future really does depend on the mental foundations that we lay down in this present moment. So the more we're able to meet each moment with presence, wisdom, acceptance, and gratitude, the more we cultivate a background sense of happiness, peace and wellbeing that we can carry forward with us into the rest of our lives. So the next time you find yourself longing for the past, just take a moment to smile for what's been, but then remember to let go of the clinging to what was so you can be fully present for what is.

Perhaps taking a moment to reflect on what you have now that you're grateful for. Perhaps it's the sound of the birds, the breath in your body, the people that care for you, the roof over your head. So in training the mind to be more present and grateful in this way, we lay a foundation for greater fulfillment, peace and freedom of mind in the future. So as always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us. And now let's just begin to settle in for today's meditation.

Melli O'Brien

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Melli O'Brien

4.7

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Melli O'Brien

Available everywhere.

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