What are avenues for being present?

Observe. When you notice that your mind has made up a story about past or future, simply observe it. Observation of story will bring you right into present. After a while, you'll start to notice that you are not your story, and that two separate entities exist: you in present and your mind with its story.

Allow. Allow whatever is in moment to be there. It is what it is. Once you begin observing and allowing, you'll notice how often you resist moment you are in. That resistance keeps you in your head and out of present.

Here's an example of distinction between allowing and resisting. At times when my nine month old son is cranky and I'm frustrated, my natural reaction is resistance. In other words, I want moment to be different than it is, which creates stress. Those times that I've allowed situation to be what it is, I felt present and experienced peace.

Once I've become aware of my resistance to what's occurring - I'll often experience it as physical tension - I'll say to myself, "I don't like this moment." or "I'm noticing that I feel frustrated and impatient." Simply observing and allowing what I experience brings a conscious level of awareness.

We each have an inner peace and freedom that already exists inside of us. Our job is to release muck surrounding it, and reclaim as our own. Stay present by ALLOWING what's there to be there. Then you can accept it, change it or talk to someone about it. By spending so much time in past and future, we often resist gem that's right in front of us.

------------------------------------------------------------------ Claudette Rowley, coach and author, helps professionals identify and pursue their true purpose and calling in life. Contact her today for a complimentary consultation at 781-676-5633 or claudette@metavoice.org. Sign up for her free newsletter "Insights for Savvy" at http://www.metavoice.org.

Studying Emotional Intelligence teaches you how. These things can be learned.

I read on someone’s website other day that EQ is hard to learn. On contrary, I find most clients pick it up quickly because it’s such a relief. “No one ever explained that to me,”they say, or “Now I get it.” These competencies are things we can always improve throughout our lifetime, however most people see immediate positive results. The point is to set train on tracks so it can start rolling.

EQ is such a good system, I had a client in Abu Dhabi I worked with by phone, instant message and email who wrote me, after just 3 months: Since I started learning emotional intelligence, I have noticed following positive changes:

1.I am more patient in dealing with angry people. 2.The ability to empathize with others helps in being able to receive love from mothers 3.I get in less fights in conversations 4.It is easier for me to solve problems

Lulwa, who gave me permission to quote her, may go on to increase proficiency in different areas, but she’s already receiving benefits in her life from what she learned in just a few weeks. Undoubtedly she will improve, because she has foundation in place and she’s getting kinds of rewards that fuel motivation. Why would you stop doing something that makes it easier for you to solve problems? Emotional Intelligence teaches you ways to make your life work better. It can be learned. You can get immediate results, and then continue improving as you apply fundamentals you’ve learned to new experiences.