You probably have heard someone recently say, “enjoy the present moment!” What is all this about anyway?

· Does this mean I’m walking around with a goofy smile on my face all the time?

· Does this mean I skip through fields of daisies?

· Does this mean I’m spiritual?

· Does this mean I’m a wackadoodle?

The short answer?

No.

What does it mean to enjoy the present moment?

Enjoying the moment simply means staying focused on the present instead of ruminating the past or fearing the future.

This present moment is all you have. The moment you read the last sentence is already gone. You are on to the next moment. . . and the next . . . and the next.

Our life is like watching a train. Each car goes by, slightly different than the one before. They roll on car after car. If you were watching a train, go by and decided to see the cars coming up, you’d turn your head towards the back of the train. Those cars wouldn’t be quite as clear as the one right in front of you. You may even imagine you see something coming that is not actually there.

Likewise, if you decided to look at the cars that have already passed, you would turn your head toward the front of the train. The cars will look smaller than those right in front of you, and you may imagine they looked different than they actually are.

The point is the cars right in front of you are what you can see the best. If you apply that to your life, the circumstances happening right now are all you can see clearly. The episodes of the past or your anticipation of the future will not be as clear.

Enjoying the moment means seeing your life clearly.

Why is Enjoying the present moment a good habit?

When you see your life clearly, you will notice opportunities, people, and solutions to problems.

It’s easy to be distracted by all the information and noise in our world. These are stacked on top of your job and family responsibilities. I get it! The frantic pace of our lives nips at the heels of our peace. They may even have yours in a choke hold!

Imagine a $1 million dollar diamond somewhere within your view today. If you knew that existed, you would look carefully for it. Why? Because it’s valuable! You could sell it and pay for what you needed for many years to come. Things of value must be discovered too. They do not just fall into your distracted view. Want more time with your friends? Be aware of how that could happen, and it will show itself. Rushing from point A to point B will not get you there. Trust your ability to find solutions and enjoyment in this moment.

The present moment is all you have.

Enjoying the present moment will allow you to see the opportunities right in front of you. Instead of striving for more, more, more, . . . look at what you have right now. See what is presenting itself right where you live. Consider challenges not as struggles but as opportunities. This is where you will find peace.

How can you begin to enjoy the present moment?

Here are some ways to start enjoying the moment right now:

Put your phone down and notice what is around you when waiting in line or for an appointment
Learn to sit quietly for at least 15 minutes a day
Pay attention to the sounds in the room right now
Focus on your breath
Let your mind wander and spend time dreaming of what you enjoy doing
Stop and smell the roses, play with the kids, dance in your kitchen, or kneel in prayer
Ask a question of another and then do nothing but listen to them. Don’t allow yourself to respond unless a question is asked back to you.
Look in the mirror and spend a moment with yourself. Send love and good vibes to your reflection.
Chose to be joyful in this moment. What can you find to be grateful for right now?
Look at the faces of those around you.

The present moment is all you have.