The power of now 14 years ago, I took my first 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Relief (MBSR) course.For two hours a week, we would meet in Camden, London from 7 - 9 pm.It was a big commitment.And I was still drinking at the time.Plus, the daily mindful practice was for 45 mins!Which, in truth, I rarely completed. And neither did anyone else, as far as I could tell.Each week, you could hear the hushed tones. “Did you do the practice?”“Sort or…”“Erm….”To make matters worse, if I were remotely hungover, I could not do the practice because I felt too anxious to focus on my breath.The irony. Still, I made the effort to show up and do the work as best I could.But I didn’t get it.So I tried again a year later and took another full 8-week MBSR.It still didn’t click.4 years later and 4 MBSRs later, I knew exactly how to meditate but had still missed the point.Mindfulness too often feels like a thing we should do to be mentally healthy.But this is not what it’s all about. Walking the Camino has helped remind me of the true power of the present moment.Forget the labels like mindfulness.The great Eastern traditions, along with a few Western spiritual leaders like Eckhart Tolle, tell us that there is power in the now.Walking without distraction creates the perfect space to be in the moment.It also, in my opinion, helps to have a mind free from alcohol.What I discovered as I walked is that the now is blissful.There are no ghosts from the past or worries about what you must do. Or fears around imagined futures. There is just being.A oneness with all.When the past and future stories stop, there is a glimpse of something bigger. Rather than feeling like I should do my mindfulness. I am now craving the power of now.It is hard to explain in written form, so I recorded a podcast episode specifically about this experience. It might be my most important to date.A takeawayMaybe take a few minutes to let all the stories inside your mind go. Don’t chase them back into the past or the future. Just settle into the moment. Where there are no worries, fears or shoulds.Just oneness. Let me know what comes up for you.Your coach Andy PS - Enrolling now - July cohort. If you want to learn more about the power of now, come and train with me on my next 6-month triple-accredited life/executive coach training programme. This is not just a course; it is a transformative learning experience, and I would LOVE for you to join me.Click here for more information.

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