Live in the Now
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “That was the best moment ever!” or “That was such a great day!” Why was that? What made that moment so great? Was it because you shared laughter with a friend, went to a fantastic party, or partook in an amazing concert?
In contrast, perhaps you vividly recall a moment you found out about the loss of a loved one, a work meeting gone horribly wrong, an embarrassing fall in public, or a heartbreaking breakup. Even such events leave a lasting impression. They are moments that we’re never able to forget whether we want to or not.
These moments remain unforgettable to us because of the connection we share with that experience. Through our five senses, mind, and heart, we stay connected to them since we were wholly present in those moments. In today’s world, being fully engaged “in the moment” has become harder and harder. Multi-tasking, constant bombardment of technology, and ever-piling responsibilities have increased the pace of life. We simply can’t find the time to be in the moment and cherish the now. But, it certainly is possible!
Cherish the Moment with Gratitude
Motivational speaker Jay Shetty often says, “If you want to wake up happy, go to sleep grateful.” One way to become more present in life is to have constant, genuine gratitude for the things we have. Holding on to special memories, good or bad, isn’t such a bad thing. Such moments transform us and bring us to a different time and place. It’s what makes us human. But, when we overspend our mental energy on the experiences, heartbreaks, and emotions of the past, to the point that debilitates us, it robs us of the present. Similarly, remaining enthusiastic and having a positive outlook toward our future goals is great. But dwelling too much on future gains, successes, and goals may not always be the best for your present mental state.
Unnecessary energy spent on the past and future keeps us from enjoying the experience of now. Have you ever rushed through a cup of coffee because you were worried about getting late to work? Consider, for example, the last time you had a cup of coffee which you truly enjoyed — appreciating the crevices of the cup in your hands, feeling the smoothness of the milk, the froth, and savoring the aroma and flavor of the coffee beans. Pausing to indulge in every aspect of the coffee experience brings an appreciation for that moment, not merely for the coffee itself. Acknowledging such small occurrences when they occur can spark beautiful moments of joy. Otherwise, you’ll simply find yourself rushing through coffee grind as part of the day to day grind.
A friend recently shared her personal story with me. She wanted to find a life partner, get married, and start a family. This progression in life was very important and dear to her. After many months, she once told me that she came to a realization on this journey. She told me that while it was great that she had a goal, her intense focus on the future prevented her from enjoying her day-to-day endeavors. As she thought more about the lack of love or success in her life, she failed to see what she already had — the things that were great in her life. Her home, her job, her friends, and her family were all taken for granted. Striving to move forward, she expended her mental energy on the future rather than living in the present moment. Instead, it robbed her of finding and experiencing joy in her current state. She decided to turn to gratitude.
Being grateful for the things we have and focusing on the present makes room for happiness. We can genuinely be happy when we aren’t bound by our past nor burdened by our future. Simply focusing on the here and now and leaning in with that understanding frees us from guilt and worry. It creates mental space for happiness.
Cherish the Moment Through Introspection
Introspection, or antardrashti as Hindu scriptures reference it, is a crucial element to gratitude. Taking the time out to reflect on our thoughts and actions allows us to understand our mental state. It will enable us to make adjustments to our life accordingly. A friend recently told me about her discovery of an app called “Presently.” She said she found journaling through the app by focusing on simple moments throughout her day to be quite helpful. It forced her to reflect inward as she had never done before. App or not, by reflecting on the small things that make us smile, cultivating gratitude becomes easier. What do those moments look like? It could be stopping to watch the train below pass by while you walk across the bridge. Or enjoying the sun’s rays hit you on your drive to work. Or even, savoring that deliciously crafted cup of coffee. By noting these simple moments we are grateful for, it allows our minds to stay positive and happy.
Cherish the Moment through Forgiveness
Another thing that prevents us from enjoying the present moment is grudges. When we hold grudges, we are merely living in the past. Instead, letting go and being grateful within our relationships is essential to experience happiness in the present.
There is a story about two brothers who owned farms next to each other. They would lend each other a hand, share crops, and so on. One day, because of an argument, and the exchange of angry words, 50 years of brotherhood became silent. One day, a man came to the door of the elder brother asking for work. The brother had a job for him. He said, “You see those trees over there by the barn? My brother owns the farm next door, and I never want to see his face again, so please build a tall wall by the creek between our farms.” The carpenter thought quietly to himself. Then he went to work. That evening, the brother went to see the wall. To his surprise, there was a beautiful bridge where there should have been a wall. At the same time, the young brother came by to see what was happening. He was surprised and taken aback. He ran across the bridge and said, “After all these years, and after everything I said to you, you built this bridge!” The elder brother realized his mistake. They both embraced one another, forgiving the mistakes of the past. Letting go of grudges from past arguments or deeds allows us to live in a better present.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, an aerospace scientist and the former President of India, in his book entitled Transcendence, talks about a terrorist attack that occurred at the BAPS Akshardham Mandir in Gandhinagar. The response of the late His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a Hindu monk and the former spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, was calm, forgiving, and compassionate. He prayed for everyone impacted, praying for a peaceful resolution rather than retaliation. Dr. Kalam spoke of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s response and said,
“The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart.”
Letting go of insults, wrongdoing, and mistakes while simultaneously wishing good for those who may have hurt us can bring us true peace.
Cherish the Moment by Overcoming Fear through Faith
Transcendence also offers another quote worth thinking about: “Overcome fear by forgiving through faith.” Dr. Kalam explains how Pramukh Swami Maharaj taught him this valuable lesson. Past and future fears can be battled through a forgiving understanding, founded by faith.
Having faith in God fosters the understanding that whatever occurs in our lives is for the best. When we stress less and put our trust and confidence in God, we take solace in knowing that a higher being is worrying about our well-being. By decluttering our minds of anxiety, we become fearless and emboldened. We become liberated to experience each present moment.
A few, very simplistic examples reveal this very point:
Consider the number of browser tabs you often have open at one time while on a computer. We are often multi-tasking and are rarely able to complete one task in its entirety. Due to the fast-paced nature of our world, our thoughts shift constantly. Even while we drive, we’re often listening to music or audio books, calling a friend, or thinking about our task list for when we arrive at work or home. Just consider what you think about when you exercise, cook a meal, or even talk to a friend on the phone? How often do we stay present in that ONE moment, in that ONE task? How often do we listen or observe with our hearts?
HH Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual leader of BAPS, often says, “Be in harmony with yourself and the world will reflect it.” To create harmony, elements such as gratitude, forgiveness, and faith are necessary. Count your blessings and watch life begin to radiate with joy and fulfillment. As Jon Kabat-Zinn beautifully states, “Life is a series of moments.”
Are we making the most of ours?
Preetal Makan, Student
Toronto, Canada
