Are You Living in the Now?

When shall we live if not now? ~M.F.K. Fisher

If you can answer the following soul-searching questions positively, I am sure you are enjoying your life now. Are you?

1.      Are you here and now?

When someone is talking to you, you are hearing things, but are you listening? When you are driving, is your mind on the road, or are you thinking about something else? You may be physically here, but your mind is somewhere else. There is a Chinese saying 心神不定 (xin shen bu ding). It means your “heart and spirit” are not stable. Can you bring yourself back to where you are now and live in the moment?

2.      Can you concentrate on what you do now?

Can you pay full attention at work? Are you worrying about something else that distracts your concentration?  

3.      Are you enjoying the process of doing things?

To enjoy the process of doing things is to be happy in what you do. Be interested in what you do even if the task may be mundane.   

4.      Are you feeling energetic?

The energy promotes an eagerness to get things done. There is an attitude of do-it-now in you. You are in the mood to take action.

5.      Is your mind fresh, calm, and alert?

Is your mind being disturbed? Is there something bothering you? Can you focus on what you do now?

6.      Do you feel good about yourself?

Are you confident and self-assured? Are you ready to take on the world without hesitation?

7.      Is there something that you look forward to doing every day?

There must be something that gives you enthusiasm in life. What is it? It is something that you are passionate about. 

8.      Are you hopeful?

When you are enthusiastic about what you do, you look forward to what you can achieve in life. Life is hopeful when there is a direction.

   

9.      Do you have an organized daily life?

Every new day is an exciting day when you have planned ahead and you are ready to get things done. A disorganized life is a confusing life when you do not know what you want to do and what is important and meaningful to you. 

10.  Do you feel relaxed and at ease?

Are you feeling tense? Does your heart beat faster? Are you angry? To be relaxed and feel at ease is to avoid negative feelings.

You don't get to choose how you're going to die.
Or when.  You can only decide how you're going to live. Now.  ~Joan Baez