One of my favorite quotes is one to whom I do not know to give credit. It goes like this, “The past is history. The future is a mystery. This moment is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.” Some give credit to Master Oogway, a fictional animated turtle. Others credit Eleanor Roosevelt. And I thought it was a quote from the Bengali polymath poet Rabindrath Tagore. Whoever said it first, it is a great reminder that the present moment is the most powerful place to be.
Staying present, however, is not something most of us humans know how to do. We tend to spend so much time talking about, worrying about and mulling over things that have already happened and that we can’t do anything about, or waiting, wishing and hoping for things that have not happened. Most of us lose sight of the magic that makes the present moment so special. And, of course, in the digital age we now live in, most people are so focused on their digital devices that they have no idea of what’s actually going on around them.
If you have the desire and you’ve made a decision to be more fully present, congratulations! It isn’t an easy endeavor with so much information coming at us from so many different directions. But practicing being present can help you enjoy the fullness of every moment you have.
When you look back now, you may not remember many details of what happened during the vacation you spent with friends. Perhaps everyone sat around texting, taking selfies and pictures of food and keeping up with the latest tweets and Instagram posts. But, once you learn how to stay in the moment and cut the cord to your digital device, you’re more likely to have richer memories.
Here are a few tips I’ve learned and find very helpful from Jack Canfield. For those of you who don’t know, Jack Canfield is the co-author of the amazing Chicken Soup for The Soul series. These tips can set you off on the road to a life rich in present moments you’ll enjoy looking back on with satisfaction.
1. Make A Commitment to Remain Present
Start by spending a few moments each morning reminding yourself that you need to enjoy the day for what it is and make the most of it.
2. Develop A System
This could include things such as setting a reminder on your phone to bring you back to the present moment or setting aside a block of time each day that you focus only on what the present has to offer.
3. Become Aware of Your Body
Be aware of any pain, hunger, or other physical needs that may need to be addressed and take care of them. Remember, there was a time when our present, physical needs were the only thing a person had to worry about.
4. Remain Conscious of Your Thoughts
Try to keep your thoughts positive and present-focused. Focus your mind on your present situation and take time each day to think about only what’s going on right there in the moment.
5. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Pause and take a careful look at your surroundings, then think carefully about what’s going on.
Are there people or animals around you, and if so, what are they doing? Is there anything beautiful or interesting about your surroundings? Are there any observations you can make about what’s going on around you?
6. Enjoy Being Where You Are
Think about how much time you spend waiting on something.Remember that all the magic of life happens in the present moment. It simply cannot happen anywhere else. Enjoy every moment and revel in the gifts you
