When you’re constantly thinking ahead, you can’t live in the moment.
How often do you rush onwards? To get to the next task, the next meeting, the next best thing, without savouring the “present” you find yourself in?
When we count minutes instead of living in the moment, time becomes our enemy and we become its slave. But even worse, those around us suffer from our inattention, from our lack of presence in their moments.
Even if our present moment is not a positive one, there’s always something to learn. It’s an opportunity, but only if we take the time to reflect on that moment, instead of just wanting it to be gone.
Michael Townsend Williams wrote this fantastic article about Flow where he explains how, in medieval times, the concept of time was measured in moments (not minutes). He also captured the essence of why living in our moments is important:
“By living more presently, in our moments, we grow the awareness necessary to make each one matter more. With practice and the right tools we develop the art of momentum. And if this is in the right direction (aligned with a sense of meaning and purpose), then we cannot avoid making momentous things.”
Your life will be more meaningful if you take account of the value of your experiences – your moments in time – instead of just counting the minutes until your next “thing” can happen.
It starts with a focus on the here and now:
- Give your full attention to the person talking to you, or the environment you find yourself in. Make the effort to remember the elements that make up this moment.
- Put away the devices when you have the opportunity to have a real experience in the real world, such as a real conversation with a real person.
- Show others that you respect their moments as much as your own, by giving the gifts of your time and your presence to them.
What if you made the time to value your moments?
What momentous, meaningful things might happen if you focus on the present?
Here, now, you can. :)
*indicates required
