“Future is fantasy“, Yogi Caryn softly reminds us to pay attention and be mindful, a requirement to avoid falling over in the balancing poses. Her words resonate and have everything to do with life off the mat. But many of us resist the idea that projecting into the future is fantasy. Isn’t this refreshing new year and decade all about expectations? Are all resolutions flights of fancy? Is it conceit to think we can conjure a future based in desires? 2020 vision is perfection, so it’s exciting to anticipate “seeing” the best in our lives this year.

The lesson from Caryn is that living mindfully now influences the future. Moving toward a vision with passion adds excitement and commitment to our lives. But over investing in tomorrow, steals the present moment.

This 20’s decade provides us with a new starting point. As with any goal, preparation is key to success. While we focus on the year ahead, may we consider the concept that centering our minds prepares us for a better future with clarity? Caryn is encouraging us to be here right now and the benefits will follow. It really is not hard, we can re-train our thinking with meditation. It is a way to control thoughts and help us cultivate a habit of mindfulness.

“Oh Doc, I barely have time to make a meal or do the laundry; you expect me to sit still?” Yes I do. My sister Marie (who is a bundle of energy) thoughtfully gifted me a meditation app and I am taking time to sit quietly everyday, so lets do this together. There are several meditation apps that can guide you toward enhancing your well being far beyond what making a list of wishes can do. It only takes 5 minutes per day.

This new year’s commitment can benefit us the entire year. All those years of making and breaking of resolutions just led to frustration anyway. Let mindfulness be your new steady state and expect greatness to enter your life.

If you need convincing, meditation benefits you because it reduces inflammation in the body which is the root cause of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, autoimmune disease, hypertension, dementia and memory loss and so much more. So, doctor’s orders: close your eyes, follow the breath and enjoy a new vision for 2020. You deserve this.

Happy 2020. My vision sees a perfectly wonder-filled year ahead for you.