Live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find eternity in each moment
I have always wanted to share certain stories of my life with my readers and I am glad that this space has always allowed me to do just that.
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We are often taught the intricate lessons of being tough in life, the lessons of working hard day in and day out but certain life lessons that can influence the level of stability and positivity in our lives are overlooked which is a total downplay by society.
Today, I will be sharing more light on how you can enjoy the moment you are in right now. Life is a series of different phases; these phases unveil one after the other through the highs and low, in the process of learning, unlearning, living and surviving.
Every phase is unique, every phase lays the foundation for the next stage of life and in the quest of conquering through the obstacles, opportunities, trials, and triumphs that appear, we have to learn to enjoy the moment.
Survival and living aren’t an easy process but learning how to enjoy the moment you are in right now enable you to envision a future of positivity and growth- As forever is made of nows!
The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for a newer and richer experience. Living in the moment is being aware of the moment we are in- If our minds are in the past or future, we are not truly alive in the present.
Enjoying the moment used to be a challenge for me until I took a decision and never looked back. The beauty of enjoying the moment you live in should never be traded on the altar of sadness.
Enjoying the moment one lives in, is an act that must always be imbibed for a peaceful living. It is quite easy to flow with the tides of life and get distracted by activities beyond what we can control.
Too many people have their eyes fixated on the beautiful lifestyle than their future promises; many more are stuck dwelling on the fruits of the past; only a few actually value the beauty of their present moments.
How often do you stop to look around and feast your emotional and mental energy on the beauty of what the present moment promises?
With the plethora of distractions that cloud us as humans, it is possible to drown in too many activities and ignore the present moment staring at us in the face. Getting stuck in the past can be dangerous as it could be a grave hindrance to significant progress.
I was once a victim of being stuck in the past. For months, I lost focus on everything I was doing at the moment and ignorantly relished the sour taste of hurts from the past. I allowed myself to drown in the unpalatable river of yore and stained my thoughts with the colors of regret.
It was a troubling time for me and I sincerely did not see the need to know how to enjoy the moment. And even if I did, I had absolutely no idea how I was going to solve the problem.
So, me being stuck in the past was a long experience- I was in the shackles of past pain until I figured that the solution to my misery was at my fingertips; I could decide to be in the mental cage or resort to freeing myself.
You only live once as life swings by fast and all you’ve got is now! Make good use of it. Nobody wants to spend their aged days regretting the decisions they made in their youthful days. The best way to avoid being drenched in the rain of regrets later in life is to enjoy every moment and count every period as an opportunity to improve oneself.
I am not disputing the fact that humans go through sad times and moments of sobriety. In fact, it is a norm to experience sadness, however, just like I did after those months of being stuck in my past, you can pick yourself up and start enjoying every moment of your existence.
Throughout my experience with the hurts from the past and the starvation of enjoyment, I figured out a few tips on how to enjoy the moment I was in. And although there are no laws to what can or cannot be enjoyed, you can also take a cue from me or adopt these tips.
How To Enjoy The Moment You Are In Right Now
Below, I will give five tips on how best you can ensure that you enjoy the moment. These five tips are not the only steps you can take to enjoy the moment, however, they give insights on some of the easiest ways to enjoy the moment.
1. Eliminate Distractions
Our minds are powerful tools for orchestrating the essence of our being at every point in time. In enjoying the present moment, you must first learn how to control your mind to focus on the present.
Sometimes, crazy thoughts run through my head and I hardly focus on the things I set out my mind to do. In fact, at a time, this was very consistent.
Whenever I set my mind to focus on anything, I was always getting distracted by either the overwhelming process of change or my bitter experience from a toxic relationship- clinging to our worries and fears, replaying our mistakes.
It was a continuous struggle until I resolved to eliminate distractions completely. I decided to be more disciplined with my thoughts and give focus to the present. It worked! Now, I can say I have improved significantly in the beauty of swimming in the present moment.
This is something you can do too! All you need is intentionality. Your goal is to consistently enjoy the moment, ensure you do just that by cutting off any form of distraction.
Understanding the fact that “time is money” and its elusiveness makes this even more revealing. With the knowledge of the preciousness of time, getting to control your thoughts becomes easier.
2. Let Go Of The Past
‘’Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha
Life happens, sometimes beyond our control, we find ourselves in places and situations we never imagined. It could be from a toxic relationship to a financially unstable state, to a depressed mental state.
We all experience one tragic challenge or the other but the good thing is that life keeps rolling on a clean sheet for us to paint. We don’t need to keep holding on to the pain or experience of the past. There is always an opportunity for growth, so, my friend, focus on opportunities, not setbacks.
Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t. Focus on the present moment, not the past or the future.
Letting go does not mean you have given up and it does not mean you no longer care. It just means that you are releasing the attachments of the past that keep getting in the way of your happiness and mental clarity.
Letting go is the unbinding and detangling of old behavior patterns that keep pulling you into unnecessary mental tension and worry. When you can be okay with things not having gone a certain way, life begins again.
Making peace with the past opens you up to love, adventures and allows you to apply the lessons you have learned with a new calmness, that is living your best life.
A lot of us today hold on to the hurts in our hearts, we are trying to seek revenge, to get back at our offenders, to prove a point, to prove we are worthy or in charge and that doesn’t have to be the case. Sometimes, it’s only okay to take a deep breathe and let things slide.
Move on and watch the alluring peacefulness that accompanies that simple act. Holding on to the past is more like embarking on a self-destructing journey of sadness, bitterness, grudge, and limitations.
I want you to understand that real changes slowly become noticeable. The work of letting go and building self-awareness gives life a new fresh feel; when you look out into the world there is a reinvigorated vibrancy that shines with the hope for a better tomorrow.
The signs that a new you is emerging are evident through every tough experience. Even when patterns try to pull you in an old direction you have to learn the value of accepting the emotions, understanding the reason behind the storm and appreciating every wave as you enjoy the moment you are in right now-this allows turbulence pass quietly, leaving your mind lighter and eyes clearer.
You embrace a life of growth and truth of change so that inner peace can become your new home which is simply enjoying the moment you are in right now.
Holding on is believing that there’s only a past; letting go is knowing that there’s a future. Remember life hurts when the mind is full of attachments.
3. As Much As You Can, Avoid Thinking About The Future
It is a good thing to always want the best for your future but dwelling on what you cannot control will only make you lose the pleasures of what you can. You cannot control the past, let it go. You cannot control the future, leave it. You can only control the present, enjoy it!
Now, am I saying it is wrong to hope for a bright future? Absolutely no! My point is hinged on the fact that many of the things that will be encountered in the future are only products of your decisions today. What you say, do, hear and see are seeds sown into the future and would germinate when the right time comes. It is only appropriate that you take the right step now.
Instead of getting caught up in what might or might not happen, practice mindfulness and ensure to dwell majorly in the present. Besides, getting “caught up in the future” makes you receive it with dread. The fear of what the future holds projects insecurities into you and you find yourself living in fear instead of enjoying the present.
I have taken time to realize that there is no amount of worry one can experience, that will change what will be. And since I realized this, I have always ensured that in whatever way I can, I have to live more in the present than I do in the past and the future.
Instead of worrying, ask yourself is this worry real or is my mind just looking for something to grab onto?
4. Be Present With Your Loved Ones And Everyone Around You
Being present with your loved ones and everyone around you isn’t only done physically, it could also be mentally and one of the best ways to enjoy the moment is to ensure that full attention is given to whatever it is you are doing at the moment.
The popular showbiz host Oprah Winfrey has said that after talking to over 30,000 people, she has found out that everyone has the same desire: to be seen, heard and to know that they matter. This is true to a large extent. Nobody wants to feel ignored and not giving the right people the right attention shows that you are not present ‘in’ the moment. And when you are not present ‘in’ the moment, you find it hard to enjoy the moment.
This is a tip, even I need to imbibe. Due to my busy schedule, I get lost in the plethora of activities and I lose the fun in every moment. Someone could make a joke and I’ll just not get it because I was busy replying to an email or wording an article. And truth is, these are the people who will still help you enjoy the day.
No one is an island, if you ignore them and deprive yourself of the beautiful feeling gotten from being intentionally present in the moment, you are at the losing end. At every given moment, ensure you are fully committed to being physically and emotionally present with your loved ones.
5. Create Memories
You know what they say about memories? Memories are a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are and the things you never want to lose. This is a very true statement.
Memories are mental ropes that tie our present to our past and connect our reality to the future. Memories are the abstract colors that add aesthetics to our current realities. For every moment you spend as your reality, it is important to create memories. Go out, have fun and enjoy yourself.
Truth is, if you do not do these things, you are not going to die. However, life would be more fun if you do them. So, what are you waiting for? Go out there, create memories and enjoy the moment!
To sum up, you should know that the decision to enjoy every moment of your existence lies with you. I took that one decision and never looked back and today, I won’t say I regret doing so. Your story could be better. Enjoy!
Enjoy The Moments Quotes
Before you leave I want you to take this as a reminder, write it in your journal or save it as a draft on your phone as valuable reminders. These will help you enjoy the present moment.
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Life gives you plenty of time to do whatever you want to do if you stay in the present moment.”
“Always hold fast to the present. Every situation, every moment is of infinite value, for it is the representative of a whole eternity.”
“Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more’’.
“The past has no power over the present moment”.
“Few of us ever live in the present. We are forever anticipating what is to come or remembering what has gone”.
“Learn from the past, prepare for the future, live in the present”.
“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present”.
“That is why those who are not capable of being there in the present moment, they don’t really live their life – they live like dead people”.
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life”.
“The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become”.
“Live in the present and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering”.
“Live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find eternity in each moment.”
“At some point, you just have to let go of what you thought should happen and live in what is happening.”
“Wherever you are, be all there.” -Jim Elliot
“I always live in the present. The future I can’t know. The past I no longer have.” -Fernando Pessoa
“If you are depressed, you are living in the past, if you are anxious, you are living in the future, if you are at peace, you are living in the present.” Lao Tzu
“To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.” Thich Nhat Hanh
“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” Alice Morse Earle
“Learn to focus only on the present. The past is unchangeable so it is futile to reflect on it unless you are making sure you do not repeat mistakes. The future is but a result of your action today. So learn from the past to do better in the present so that you can succeed in the future.” Jordan Lejuwaan
“Living in the moment is being aware of the moment we are in. If our minds are in the past or future, we are not truly alive in the present.” Satsuki Shibuya
“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.” Dalai Lama
“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” Amit Ray
“Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future.” Denis Waitley
“Never worry about anything. Live in the present. Live now. Be happy.” Marsilio Ficino
“Don’t let the past steal your present.” Cherralea Morgen
“The art of life is to live in the present moment.” Emmet Fox
“You have to let go of the past, in order to live in the present.”
“The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.” Thich Nhat Hanh
“Living in the moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift.” Oprah Winfrey
“The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That’s all there ever is.” Eckhart Tolle
“Eternity belongs to those who live in the present.” Ludwig Wittgenstein
“The great science to live happily is to live in the present.” Pythagoras
“When you try to control everything, you enjoy nothing. Sometimes you just need to relax, breath, let go and live in the moment.”
“If you live in fear of the future because of what happened in your past, you’ll end up losing what you have in the present.”
“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.” Earl Nightingale
“Intelligence is the capacity to be reborn again and again. To die to the past is intelligence, and to live in the present is intelligence.” Osho
“If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is to be present in the present. Gratefully.” Maya Angelou
Enjoying the moment you are in right now will not be easy and can be a scary task but I want you to know that you are capable of so much more than you know you can do, so much more than you believe, you can overcome so much more than you understand. So keep going one step at a time, one phase at a time and you’ll see life unfolding on a peaceful route
