The Presents of Presence

There is a saying that goes, “Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, today is a gift... that’s why we call it the ‘Present’.” Can’t relate to that one? Another popular quote says, “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 moment.” Alright, I’ll stop there because it is possible to go on all day with these sayings. I’m sure some people are thinking they are amazing inspirational words of wisdom, while the rest are rolling their eyes at what they consider to be hokey nonsense. However, if there are so many adages regarding the same topic of living in the moment, then perhaps the idea should be explored a little farther, regardless of which way you view it.

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present in the moment. It is the state of being when we are aware of where we are and what we are doing. However, it also entails being neither overly reactive nor overwhelmed by what is going on around us. Mindfulness is something we all naturally possess, but, especially in today’s hectic world, it is also something we often lose track of. For this reason, mindfulness requires some maintenance, and it is important to actively practice staying in the moment. Most automatically consider only seemingly endless meditation or breathing exercises when it comes to practicing, but these methods are not for everybody. Luckily, those are not the only options of enhancing awareness of the present, and the amount of time spent practicing does not have to be long either. Some other ways include participating in yoga or stretching, even for just ten minutes a day. Other techniques include journaling, taking a moment to think of one thing you’re grateful for, or setting a daily intention and following through with it. There are so many different options, that there is a way for everyone to practice mindfulness in a manner that best suites them.

Hopefully it is now clearer as to the many ways that it is possible to live in the present, and it doesn’t seem like such an arduous task. However, why bother to make the effort? I’m sure some skeptics are still questioning. The present moment is the only moment you truly have control over. Although people are constantly making plans, those plans often don’t manifest the way that person wants or expects. How often have you raced through the journey to a destination, and once there been dissatisfied with the end point? Living in the present, and enjoying the ride will reduce stress and make you happier both along the way and with the outcome.

Excessive stress is known to contribute to hypertension, ulcers, and gastrointestinal complications, such as Irritable Bowel syndrome. Some of these complications, as well as the behaviors associated with stress (overeating, smoking, drinking, decreased activity), can also increase the risk of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading killer of adults in the United States. So in if emotional well-being is not enough of a reason for you to practice mindfulness, then hopefully improving your physical health will convince you. Another way practicing mindfulness is beneficial is that it helps tune out distractions and improve memory and attention skills. Cognitive flexibility and short term memory naturally tend to decrease as a person ages. Therefore, practicing living in the moment can be especially beneficial in situations such as people with Alzheimer’s disease, who experience an expedited cognitive decline.

Taking just a few moments a day to be aware of the present could literally add years to your life physically and mentally. It’s not possible to change the past, and the future is never guaranteed. Therefore, hopefully you realize now why we call it the “Present”, and how important it is to practice living in the moment.