044: How to Keep Yourself in the Moment

I read this recently in an article on mindfulness: “Time is an illusion.” The past doesn’t exist; the future doesn’t exist.

I don’t get into woo-woo kind of stuff, but it definitely made me start thinking about how well I live in the moment.

Brooks is frequently frustrated by the amount of plans I make. I like being productive and I’m better if I schedule a bunch of stuff. It actually helps reduce the amount of time I spend thinking about it if I write it down.

BUT, I do spend a lot of time thinking about what’s next, both short and long term.

On the other end of that spectrum is Brooks, who would talk about the past and look at old photos until his eyeballs popped out.

So how do we live in the moment?

Elyssa Barbash(psychologist) says, "depression lives in the past and anxiety lives in the future. Alternately, calmness and peace of mind live in the present.”

In a world full of mental illness, including depression and anxiety, that is an incredible statement to ponder.You’ve probably had moments like me where you are hanging with a group, having a quiet chat with a friend, or even in a work meeting and before you know it your mind is off in another world. It’s horrible…

Maybe you’re a reflector and think about the past, which can make you depressed. Maybe you’re like me and you worry about the future. All the unknowns and variables are a heavy thing to carry around.

We have to keep goals in front of us and there is nothing wrong with holding our memories close to our hearts and having big dreams way into the future.

"Mindful" is such a buzzword now… mindful eating, mindfulness practice, Kondo-ing your closet and throwing away things that don’t bring you joy.

I read another quote that “existing anywhere other than the exact moment you are in creates a false world around you.”

I don’t know about you, but I want to live in the “real world”. I want to experience what is around me without the burden of striving for something that is a drain on my personal resources. 

I wish I had a 3-point list of hacks that would enlighten you and promise to offer greater contentment. I don’t, but I’m hopeful that this little nugget of musing will challenge you to live in the moment today. Don’t worry about what happened yesterday and don’t stress over the things ahead of you which you can’t control and which shouldn’t be yours to worry about anyway.

I wish you a peaceful and contented existence today.

Resources:

Video: How to Be Content

Loving Actual Life Experiment Relishing

Practicing Mindfulness

References:

Ref: https://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/what-does-it-mean-to-be-in-the-moment?no_redirect=true

Ref: https://www.pocketmindfulness.com/live-in-the-present-moment/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/trauma-and-hope/201801/mindfulness-and-being-present-in-the-moment