LIVING IN THE PRESENT

Being in the present moment, or the “here and now,” means that we are aware and mindful of what is happening at this very moment. We are not distracted by ruminations on the past or worries about the future, but centered in the here and now. All of our attention is focused on the present moment.

You’ve heard it said before, probably many times—that it’s important to live in the present moment. You also might have heard similar pieces of advice like:

“Don’t get caught up in thinking about the past or the future—live in the now!”

“Be present in your own life.”

“All you have is this moment. Don’t let it slip away.”

Given the fast pace and hectic schedules most of us keep, a base level of anxiety, stress, and unhappiness is the new norm. You may not even realize it, but this tendency to get sucked into the past and the future can leave you perpetually worn out and feeling out of touch with yourself.

The cure for this condition is what so many people have been saying all along: conscious awareness and a commitment to staying in the “now.” Living in the present moment is the solution to a problem you may not have known you had.

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.