Are you living in the present?

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. ~ Buddha

Are you living here and now? Perhaps physically you are here but your mind is somewhere else. Ask yourself these soul-searching questions to find out if you are living from moment to moment:

1.       Are you still attached to the past?

 Do not allow the past to hold you back. Go ahead and do what you want to do boldly without hesitation. It is a new beginning and there is a new you. The past cannot dictate what you can’t do now but you can tell yourself what you can do now.

2.      Are you worried about the future?

 Nobody knows what is going to happen in the future and it is also beyond your control. The best thing that you can do is to plan ahead but start working on it now wholeheartedly.

Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry — all forms of fear — are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of non-forgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence. ~Eckhart Tolle

3.       Do you enjoy what you do?

Can you concentrate on your work? Be focus and immersed in what you do and be in the flow.  Be interested in your work and you will find joy in it.

4.       Are you looking at what you see?

The best way to look at things carefully is to go slow. Stop, look, and be thrilled by things that have escaped your sight such as the adorable cat at home or the moving cloud in the sky or the waves rushing to the shore.   

5.       Are you listening to what you hear?

Can you hear the chirping of the birds? Do you listen to the rhythm of the falling rain? Appreciate the sense of hearing and listen to the wonderful sound you may not have noticed before.  

6.       Do you savor and taste the food that you are eating?

Are you eating slowly and enjoy each mouthful? Do not eat and read newspapers or watch TV. Pay attention to what you eat and enjoy it.

7.       Do you feel the thoughts and feelings of the other person talking to you?

Be mindful and be interested in the person that you are talking to.  You can only feel

the other person when you pay attention.

8.       Can you smell the fragrance in the garden?

Concentrate on the sense of smell while you are eating or when you explore nature.

Be stimulated by the aroma to excite your senses.

9.       Are you tensed up?

Something is bothering you and you can’t sit still.  Get to the root of the problem and resolve the issue. Do not allow outstanding issues to disturb your peace of mind. Feeling happy and carefree now is to live in the present

10.   Do you know what you are doing?

Have you had this experience? You were driving on the road and suddenly you were “awaken” and without realizing what you were doing for the last couple of minutes. You are mindless and not engaged in what you do and you are not noticing things. Be safe, pay attention to what you do, and live in the here and now.

The only time you ever have in which to learn anything or see anything or feel anything, or express any feeling or emotion, or respond to an event, or grow, or heal, is this moment because this is the only moment any of us ever gets. You’re only here now; you’re only alive in this moment.

~Jon Kabat Zinn