Sedona Hutton's Blog - Posts Tagged "power-of-now"
Live Like You Were Dying
The best things in life aren’t things.
I love this simple, yet profound quote from Art Buchwald. When I step back to think about what’s most important in my life, it’s not things at all, even though I’ve been blessed with some pretty nice things. What matters the most to me are my loved ones, my dog, the Earth, and the peace, love, and joy I experience in my life.
Earlier this week I listened to one of Tim McGraw’s old hits, "Live Like You Were Dying." This song caused me to think about what I would do differently if I were dying. I probably wouldn’t choose McGraw’s activities—sky diving, climbing the Rockies, or riding a mechanical bull—but I would make different choices.
I would work a little less and play a little more. I would spend less time doing mindless activities and I would spend more quality time with my husband. I would stop doing things I’m supposed to do and instead do things that make me happy. I would strive to be more mindful in every moment in order to fully appreciate my loved ones, my sweet dog, and the beautiful mountains in my backyard. In essence, I would be fully present with the best things in my life that aren’t really things.
So why can’t I do this right now? As the creator of my journey, I’m not going to wait until it’s my time to go. Instead, I’m going to “live like I’m dying” each and every day by being fully present in the now and by aligning my time with that which is most important to me.
Listen to Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying”: my link text
Coming in October: Nora’s Promise, a contemporary romance with a new age twist. She trusts animals more than men. He runs through women like tires. Will an orphaned child force them to change gears?
I love this simple, yet profound quote from Art Buchwald. When I step back to think about what’s most important in my life, it’s not things at all, even though I’ve been blessed with some pretty nice things. What matters the most to me are my loved ones, my dog, the Earth, and the peace, love, and joy I experience in my life.
Earlier this week I listened to one of Tim McGraw’s old hits, "Live Like You Were Dying." This song caused me to think about what I would do differently if I were dying. I probably wouldn’t choose McGraw’s activities—sky diving, climbing the Rockies, or riding a mechanical bull—but I would make different choices.
I would work a little less and play a little more. I would spend less time doing mindless activities and I would spend more quality time with my husband. I would stop doing things I’m supposed to do and instead do things that make me happy. I would strive to be more mindful in every moment in order to fully appreciate my loved ones, my sweet dog, and the beautiful mountains in my backyard. In essence, I would be fully present with the best things in my life that aren’t really things.
So why can’t I do this right now? As the creator of my journey, I’m not going to wait until it’s my time to go. Instead, I’m going to “live like I’m dying” each and every day by being fully present in the now and by aligning my time with that which is most important to me.
Listen to Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying”: my link text
Coming in October: Nora’s Promise, a contemporary romance with a new age twist. She trusts animals more than men. He runs through women like tires. Will an orphaned child force them to change gears?
New Age Themes in Nora's Promise
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
As an author, it’s my aspiration to write stories that not only entertain but also inspire. Given this, my novels include romance, conflict, and family drama as well as a sprinkling of new age, thought-provoking concepts.
One of the key themes in my work-in-progress novel, The Perfect Lap, is the notion that everyone’s doing the best they can from their current state of awareness. In my new contemporary romance, Nora’s Promise, new age topics included are animal compassion, kindness, and the power of now.
Below I’ve provided a selection of Nora’s Promise Book Club questions for your thought-provoking pleasure!
- Steph indicates that “Kindness is a choice.” Do you believe that practicing kindness is a choice? How can you implement this in your life?
- Steph turned to the Law of Attraction for help after she was diagnosed with cancer. Are you familiar with the Law of Attraction? What are your thoughts on this law?
- Nora’s grandfather tells her, “When you dwell in the past, you’re giving away your personal power to create what you want in this moment.” What do you think this means? Do you agree?
- Steph, and later Nora, practiced gratitude to ground themselves. They used a simple technique of closing their eyes and silently listing their gratitudes. Have you ever practiced gratitude—meditatively, journaling, or through another method? How did it make you feel?
- In order for Nora and Davey to make the changes necessary for their happily ever after they both had to grow spiritually. Nora had to learn to focus in the present moment and Davey needed to learn to trust the universe and align with his own values. Do you think spiritual growth is an important component in most relationships? Can you think of examples to support your position?
A full list of Reading Group Guide questions can be found at the end of Nora’s Promise and on my website at: my link text
Tap this link to buy Nora’s Promise today: my link text
To sign up for Sedona’s blog newsletter, tap this link: my link text and scroll down to the newsletter sign-up.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
As an author, it’s my aspiration to write stories that not only entertain but also inspire. Given this, my novels include romance, conflict, and family drama as well as a sprinkling of new age, thought-provoking concepts.
One of the key themes in my work-in-progress novel, The Perfect Lap, is the notion that everyone’s doing the best they can from their current state of awareness. In my new contemporary romance, Nora’s Promise, new age topics included are animal compassion, kindness, and the power of now.
Below I’ve provided a selection of Nora’s Promise Book Club questions for your thought-provoking pleasure!
- Steph indicates that “Kindness is a choice.” Do you believe that practicing kindness is a choice? How can you implement this in your life?
- Steph turned to the Law of Attraction for help after she was diagnosed with cancer. Are you familiar with the Law of Attraction? What are your thoughts on this law?
- Nora’s grandfather tells her, “When you dwell in the past, you’re giving away your personal power to create what you want in this moment.” What do you think this means? Do you agree?
- Steph, and later Nora, practiced gratitude to ground themselves. They used a simple technique of closing their eyes and silently listing their gratitudes. Have you ever practiced gratitude—meditatively, journaling, or through another method? How did it make you feel?
- In order for Nora and Davey to make the changes necessary for their happily ever after they both had to grow spiritually. Nora had to learn to focus in the present moment and Davey needed to learn to trust the universe and align with his own values. Do you think spiritual growth is an important component in most relationships? Can you think of examples to support your position?
A full list of Reading Group Guide questions can be found at the end of Nora’s Promise and on my website at: my link text
Tap this link to buy Nora’s Promise today: my link text
To sign up for Sedona’s blog newsletter, tap this link: my link text and scroll down to the newsletter sign-up.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
47% of waking hours are spent thinking about what isn’t going on!
This blog was written as a guest post for LauriesPlace.net as a part of a blog tour for NORA’S PROMISE. Please stop by to check out the full tour at: https://lauriesplace.net/.
Focusing on the present moment is a key theme in my contemporary romance, NORA’S PROMISE.
It sounds simple, but for most of us, living in the now requires practice and ongoing awareness. A Harvard study found that people spend 47% of their waking hours thinking about what isn’t going on. It’s human nature to spend time dwelling in the past or worrying about the future. Unfortunately, this isn’t good for us. The Harvard study shows that this mind-wandering makes people unhappy.
“A human mind is a wandering mind, and a wandering mind is an unhappy mind,” says Killingsworth and Gilbert, professors of psychology at Harvard. “The ability to think about what is not happening is a cognitive achievement that comes at an emotional cost.”
“Mind-wandering is an excellent predictor of people’s happiness,” Killingsworth says. “In fact, how often our minds leave the present and where they tend to go is a better predictor of our happiness than the activities in which we are engaged.”
Increased happiness is an excellent reason to focus on the now. According to spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, the only time we’re truly alive is in the present moment. Not in the past…not in the future…we live our lives in the now.
“Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.”—Eckhart Tolle
“When we live in the flow of that stream of energy, we remain centered and fulfilled even through the ups and downs of our day.” — Deepak Chopra
“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
Living in the now allows us to savor the simple moments in life. It increases joy, reduces stress, and enhances our connection with others.
The greatest obstacle of presence is the mind. Mind-wandering is our brain’s default approach. Given this, we must be conscious of our thoughts and recognize when we’re not fully present. Once this acknowledgment takes place, there are many ways in which one can reconnect with the present moment. Several suggestions are provided below:
§ An age-old tip is to focus on your breathing. Bringing your attention to your breath reduces the number of thoughts running through your mind and opens space for awareness of what’s going on inside and around you.
§ Consciously move your body. Wiggle your toes, fist and release your hands. Roll your neck. It’s amazing how these simple movements return your attention to the now.
§ Ask yourself, “Am I present?” If not, redirect your focus. Ask this question many times throughout the day…and overtime you’ll likely find an upward trend of, “Yes!” responses.
§ Focus on your immediate surroundings using your senses. Listen to the birds chirping. Gaze at the mountains. Feel the sun warming your skin. Breathe in the scent of pine. Cup your hands around a mug of tea; feel its warmth and draw in the delicious spices.
Now it’s your turn—what techniques do you use to refocus or to remain focused on the present moment?
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of women’s fiction and romance novels with spiritual & new age twists.
NORA’S PROMISE, a contemporary romance: She trusts animals more than men. He runs through women like tires. Can one orphaned boy force them to change gears? Purchase link: https://amzn.to/2OktquX
CLOUD WHISPERS, a contemporary novel: The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate. Purchase link: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona’s blog newsletter, tap this link: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading :
The Power of Now-A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle: https://amzn.to/2Rq9YgN
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now by Thich Nhat Hanh: https://amzn.to/2BRpecU
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
Looking for a romance novel or a spiritual book—why not try a blend of both?
I love reading spiritual books that offer personal inspiration and transformation. The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra, The Ten Commitments by David Simon, and Ask And It is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks are among my favorites.
While I enjoy these books, it takes me a while to finish reading them because I need to process the outlined ideas and ponder how I might integrate what I learned in my own life. Years ago, while contemplating this, an inspiration formed. I could write fictional stories about real characters with real issues and embed spiritual concepts to show how they might work in real-life situations.
These days, I'm doing just that! I’m blending traditional romance and women’s fiction with new age spirituality. In a recent guest blog post, Laurie Sander’s described my blended genre as follows:
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the inspirational romance category. Some of you probably read it and maybe even write it. I enjoy inspirational romance and count authors like Karen Witemeyer and Autumn Macarthur among my favorites. And have I blogged about Karen’s book The Short Straw Bride over here.
But what Sedona Hutton is doing is different from the inspirational romance that we know and love. Sedona is blazing new trails by blending traditional romance with new age spirituality. What’s emerging is a unique blend of romance and spirituality with themes like The Law of Attraction – being present – being in the now – that I’m really enjoying. The books are spiritually uplifting with fully developed romance plots and enough heat between the sheets to keep you turning the pages.
You can find the full post at: https://lauriesplace.net/2019/01/28/s....
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading:
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
Ask And It is Given by Esther & Jerry Hicks: https://amzn.to/2IwrlbP
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
While I enjoy these books, it takes me a while to finish reading them because I need to process the outlined ideas and ponder how I might integrate what I learned in my own life. Years ago, while contemplating this, an inspiration formed. I could write fictional stories about real characters with real issues and embed spiritual concepts to show how they might work in real-life situations.
These days, I'm doing just that! I’m blending traditional romance and women’s fiction with new age spirituality. In a recent guest blog post, Laurie Sander’s described my blended genre as follows:
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the inspirational romance category. Some of you probably read it and maybe even write it. I enjoy inspirational romance and count authors like Karen Witemeyer and Autumn Macarthur among my favorites. And have I blogged about Karen’s book The Short Straw Bride over here.
But what Sedona Hutton is doing is different from the inspirational romance that we know and love. Sedona is blazing new trails by blending traditional romance with new age spirituality. What’s emerging is a unique blend of romance and spirituality with themes like The Law of Attraction – being present – being in the now – that I’m really enjoying. The books are spiritually uplifting with fully developed romance plots and enough heat between the sheets to keep you turning the pages.
You can find the full post at: https://lauriesplace.net/2019/01/28/s....
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading:
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
Ask And It is Given by Esther & Jerry Hicks: https://amzn.to/2IwrlbP
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
