“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
One of the best, unforeseen consequences of simplifying our lives is it has allowed us to begin living our lives in the present moment.
Eliminating nonessential possessions has freed us from many of the emotions associated with past lives that were keeping us stuck. And clearing our home has allowed us the freedom to shape our lives today around our most important values.
Living in the present moment means no longer worrying about what happened in the past and not fearing what will happen in the future. It means enjoying what’s happening now and living for today.
Choosing to live in the past or the future not only robs you of enjoyment today, but it also robs you of truly living. The only important moment is the present moment.
With that goal in mind, consider this list of ten tips below on how to live in the moment.
How Do You Live in the Moment?
1. Remove unneeded possessions
Minimalism forces you to live in the present. Removing items associated with past memories frees you and allows you to stop living in the past. Once the past no longer has power, you can begin to live in the moment.
2. Smile
Each day is full of endless possibilities! Start it with a smile. You are in control of your attitude every morning, keep it optimistic and expectant. Be intentional about it and you’ll find yourself doing it every day without even realizing it.
3. Fully appreciate the moments of today
Soak in as much of today as you possibly can – the sights, the sounds, the smells, the emotions, the triumph, and the sorrow. These are in our daily lives but we often forget to take them in and truly appreciate them.
4. Forgive past hurts
If you are harboring resentment towards another human being because of past hurts, choose to forgive and move on. The harm was their fault, but allowing it to impact your mood today is yours. Let go and choose to be present
If you just “survive” the workweek constantly waiting for the next weekend “to get here,” you are wasting 71% of your life (5/7 days.) There are two solutions: find a new job that you actually enjoy, or find something that you appreciate about your current career.
6. Dream about the future, but work hard today
Dream big. Set goals and plans for the future. But working hard today is always the first step towards realizing your dreams tomorrow. Don’t allow dreaming about tomorrow to replace living in the moment. Dreaming about the future is only productive when combined with
7. Don’t dwell on past accomplishments
If you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you haven’t done much today. There is still plenty of time to build upon past successes and create more memories and achievements for future-you. In the future, you’ll be cherishing the memories of today.
8. Stop worrying
You can’t fully appreciate today if you worry too much about tomorrow. Realize that tomorrow is going to happen whether you worry about it or not. And since worry has never accomplished anything for anybody, redirect your mental energy elsewhere.
9. Think beyond old solutions to problems
Our world is changing so fast that most of yesterday’s solutions are no longer the right answers today. Don’t get locked into a “but that’s how we’ve always done it” mentality. Yesterday’s solutions are not today’s solutions and they are certainly not tomorrow’s solutions.
10. Conquer addictions
Addictions in your life hold you hostage. They keep you from living a completely free life and removes your focus from the moment. Find some help. Take the steps. And remove their influence over your life. Allow yourself to live in the moment addiction-free.
Learning how to live in the present moment is an essential ingredient in a happy life.
If you can only live one moment at a time, you might as well make it the present.
***
Further Reading
How to Enjoy a Life You Don’t Need to Escape From
Killing The Breeze says
Living in the moment includes #4 which many find difficult. Forgiveness, like living in the moment, forges a better future. http://killingthebreeze.com/bask-in-the-now/
Kattie says
My psychologist regularly talks of mindfulness and how it can help me. However I must say that your No. 4 is a difficult one for me. I doubt that I will ever be in a position to “forgive” the person who inflicted so much pain on me. There are somethings that can never be forgiven.
Jweight says
It’s ok to remember but not dwell on the past hurts. Forgiving is the key it truly eases the pain. Been there.
Christopher says
I can personally say, “living in the present moment” has given me a new outlook on life. I have a “new love” for Life, myself, family, friends, and every-walk-of-life.
Living in the “Now” is something that has to be discovered thru self-reflection, contemplation, and a deep yearning to discover the Truth…thru re-identifying who you really are….spiritually.
And, asking yourself? What is it that we have in common with everything in the universe? I believe, only the past, future, and present can be discovered “Now”…Thru a clear mind we can focus on which one gives us the freedom to live…
I have fully discovered this thru my own personal struggles…Being mindful, being fully present invites a higher level of consciousness or thinking to connect us to the real and present “moment”. A place where we can bathe in a state of purity; void of fear, anger, shame, and regret…A place of complete surrender…bliss…knowing we aren’t alone, we are all “One Spirit”….
Namaste….everyone
Terese says
Power of Now… Eckhart Tolle urged people to to appreciate the present many years ago. Buddha before that, among other wise minds. Maybe we’ll eventually actually do it.
April says
I have you linked in my recent blog about my blogiversary. I used you as a link for people to slow people down and enjoy the present. Good advice you have her, I linked and added to it.
Coach HT Lee says
That’s a great post. Appreciate the present and remember to smell the roses along the journey. Don’t be too obsessed with the destination and goals.
Ken O. says
Smell the roses! Great hint.
Mary says
This is one message I try to make my 90 year old mother in law understand. I know it comes with age, but all she thinks about is her past. She doesn’t seem to be engaged with her daily life. I know it’s hard for her with limited physical capabilities, but if she could only see each day a wonderful gift. I hope I will if I reach 90….
Cindy says
very often the ONLY memory elderly folks have is their LONG-TERM memory. Their short-term memory is nearly non existent. WE, as their care advocates, MUST change our expectations of them. They do not live in the same world that we do. We have to educate ourselves about the different types of dementia, and learn how to meet them where they are! NOT the other way around…
Kitt says
Great point, Cindy!
My 91 year old mother recently moved in with me. With the holiday season here, I can almost watch her go back to another time in her life when I turn on old Christmas music. I can tell by the smile on her face that she is 25 years old, again, when Bing is singing “Silver Bells”.
She can’t remember what she ate 2 hours ago, but she can remember every lyric to the song.
Alisha says
Reminiscing is therapeutic in the elderly.
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Laura says
Great post!
Such and inspiration to live in the present. Thank you!
Deb12 says
Something to be thankful for…I’m not as negative and critical as Di. I’ve been through many difficult times and through them I’ve learned that our attitude and how we choose to respond to events really do make a difference. Here’s hoping Di finds some balance. Then again maybe she thrives on attention. I appreciate and enjoy this blog.