The Gift of the Present

THE GIFT OF THE PRESENT

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift - that is why we call it the present.

author unknown

How much of your life is lost either dwelling on the past or worrying about the future? When your thoughts are imprisoned by the past or fearful of the future you miss out on one of life’s greatest gifts: that which is happening today and indeed this very moment.

When your mind is focused on yesterday or tomorrow, your involvement of the present moment is impoverished and today passes you by almost as a squandered opportunity or an unnoticed stranger. Do you ever reach Saturday and wonder where the week has gone? Do you feel that your children are growing up too fast? Do you know where your thoughts are when you are driving?

How many times have you wished your life away by dreaming of tomorrow’s temptations? If only it was the weekend... If only it was our next holiday... If only I was retired....

How many times have you worried a day away, terrified by tomorrow’s trial? What if I fail? What if I make a fool of myself? What if I don’t make it? How often have you felt yourself being pulled back by yesterday? I’ll never be able to change... I’ve always done it that way... I want to change but I’m scared to move on...

The reality is that when you are yearning for yesterday and either tempted or terrified by tomorrow, your ability to move forward will be confined by your inability to make the most of today. Throw off these shackles and release the power within so that you are set free to enjoy today in all its glory.

This is the key: putting your effort into today - putting your effort into the present moment. By doing so, you will reap the rewards of enjoying a new awareness of everything around you and this, in turn, will take you forward in a more constructive and fulfilling way.

Here are a few simple examples of being present in the moment - of enjoying the perfect present. If you have time to walk today, be aware of the landscape and the people you meet by coincidence. If you are driving today, observe speed limits and be completely aware of the traffic around you.

When you eat today, be aware of what you are eating: chew your food slowly and thoroughly and enjoy the taste. When you are interacting with others today, give them your undivided attention: don’t interrupt and listen attentively before you speak.

Awareness of the present moment will make you feel in control of your life. Of course, learning from our mistakes, reminiscing over the past or planning for the future have their places but after you’ve done so, let these thoughts go.

Today is what really matters, irrespective of how imperfect it might seem and it is your attitude towards today which counts. You may have control over very little today but one thing is for certain - you can choose your attitude towards today.

Enjoy the present moment. Then without dwelling on earlier or later, yesterday or tomorrow, past or future, be mindful of the gathering storm of your thoughts if they carry you away to another time frame under a cloud of pessimism.

Quell the storm by reining your mind and your actions back to the perfect present and the world will open up to you with all of today’s wonderful opportunities.