myHK: my New Year’s Resolution
Happy New Year Everyone!
Well it’s that time again…
Time for a fresh start! Time to make some big changes! Time to think big about the future!
Again this year, I have written ten resolutions. Playing the odds. Twenty percent of three is nothing, but with ten resolutions, that makes two positive changes.
However this year, I’m putting a very strong emphasis on one.
Live in the present moment.
A couple of years back, I bought an amazing audiobook by Thich Nhat Hanh called Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. Since then, I’ve listened to it a few times and every time I do I pull something different from it. It’s an incredible book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to reach a higher level of consciousness or is interested in Buddhist teachings.
This book has helped me practice mindfulness, which is to be aware of of what is going on in the present moment and around me.
In Hong Kong, I live quite a hectic and busy life. I have a full time job, my wife and a very active 3 year old. I have this new blog, charity work and I try and squeeze in as much exercise as possible. Of course, I also need to time to just relax and watch some football, reality TV and play Words with Friends.
Stepping out of my world and looking at my day to day activities, I know that I am overlapping too much. For example, I’ll be on my phone checking emails during breakfast with my family or thinking about stresses on my walk to work.
Another problem I see is how I’m too obsessed with the future. I find myself thinking about how it will be better ‘when’ we can do this and ‘when’ that happens, instead of trying to make the present moment my best moment ever.
And I don’t think making the present moment my best moment ever is that hard of a stretch. The other day I took a walk with E around our neighbourhood. E on her scooter and me behind her, picking up the knocked over pedestrians. We sat next to the harbour and watched the boats go by and had a fun chat. I remember thinking that this is the happiest moment of my life.
During that walk, I didn’t pull my phone out. I didn’t think about other responsibilities or plans. I was only in that moment and it was perfect.
In Buddhist teachings, they say that happiness is not a destination. Happiness is the way. You must find a way to be appreciative and happy in what you are doing right now. Whether that be enjoying your walk to work or in appreciating each and every breath, because you cannot take good care of the future if you cannot take good care of the present moment and if you live in the past, your best moment will never arrive.
I hope you all have an amazing start to 2014! Thanks for reading and supporting The Guest Room! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Also, if you have any resolutions that you’d like to share.
Cheers!
Mr.J
The Guest Room 
Here here! This is also on my resolution list this year. Excited to see more, here more, and be the moment more!
For sure K and V! Thanks for reading and commenting !!
Have a great start to the new year and your resolution!
One day at a time 🙂
cheers
mr.J
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Happy New Year.
Stresses sometimes can be a power to let you keep going on. Let’s go go go. 🙂
BTW, keep practing mindfulness and hope you feeling happiness.
Let’s looking forward for the futhure.that what are we going to be:) Oh, That’s a long journey.
Thanks for reading Yuki!! Yes, the future is always a long ways away. Best to just take it moment by moment and enjoy each one to it’s fullest. If we can do that, the future will be bright 😉
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Glad you enjoyed it!!
Thanks for reading!!;)
Mr.J
Thank you very much, I’am really glad that I’m following you. I’m still figuring out. Just wanted to say that you are an awesome blogger, Inspiring and May you inspire more readers essentially perfectly ok. greetings from Gede Prama 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words!! And for reading our blog!!
Keep in touch.
Mr.J
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I really love reading your blogs…
the best thing I learned today is realizing that…
Happiness is not a destination. Happiness is the way. You must find a way to be appreciative and happy in what you are doing right now. Whether that be enjoying your walk to work or in appreciating each and every breath, because you cannot take good care of the future if you cannot take good care of the present moment and if you live in the past, your best moment will never arrive.
awesome blog! keep it up! God Bless & more power…
Thank you so much for your kind words!! And for reading my blogs!!;)
It really is that simple, on paper…;)
Honestly I’m having a tough time with this resolution. For now, the thought and awareness of this goal, must always be on my mind. It’s so easy to lose track of the moment. Hopefully it will become more second nature to me over time.
Cheers Mari!
Kung Hei Fat Choy!
MrJ
Reblogged this on The Guest Room and commented:
It’s that time of year again!! This was Mr.J’s New Year’s resolution last year. Are you making one?
Happy new year, Mr. J! Another year to do something nice.
Cheers Allen!!
Let’s make this the best year yet!!
MrJ
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