Living in the moment is all about living like there's no tomorrow.
It takes practice but in the end, you'll lead a fuller life.
To do this you must realize beauty in every moment, and in
everyday activities. To understand how to live in the moment you must first realize
that this is about participation rather than just observation.
Living in the moment is a conscious act. Take notice of the world
around you. No matter what you're doing, try to find something beautiful around you.Maybe on your way to work or school, you go over a beautiful bridge,or you get a view of the sunrise behind the city buildings.
Realizing these small things can bring life and happiness
even to the most boring or routine days. Be thankful for those little things. Focus on whatever you're doing.
Even if you're just walking, or wiping the counter, or shuffling cards - how does it feel? There's probably some kind of commentary spinning through your mind, and it probably has to do with something other than
what you're doing. Let those thoughts go and focus on what is (not what was, or what could be).
In Buddhism, this is referred to as mindfulness. Pay attention to your senses - touch, sight, smell, sound, and taste. Pretend it's the very last time you'll ever experience whatever you're experiencing. Have you ever been so engrossed in something that it seemed like the rest of the world just
disappeared? Living in the moment is about creating that
state of mind at any time. Slow down, and try to savor the present.
Smile when you wake up. You can set the tone of appreciation and awareness for the next 24 hours by simply waking up and smiling.
[1] Don't wake up with a groan and a smash of your alarm clock. There's scientific
proof that the expressions that you make with your face can
actually influence how you feel. True.
[2] In particular, true happiness is most closely tied to a Duchenne
smile which involves smiling with your eyes, as well as your mouth.
Commit random, spontaneous acts of kindness. Whether it's donating 1 dollar to a fund at
the pharmacy, picking up litter, or helping victims of natural disasters,
keep alert in every moment of your day for some way in which you can make
the world a better place. Even the smallest thing, like complimenting someone,
can bring joy. It's the most spontaneous and unexpected acts of kindness that
produce the greatest impact, and you can't be sensitive to those kinds of
opportunities unless you're living in the moment.
Minimize activities that dull your awareness of the moment. Find out that thing you are doing that tempts your mind to run away from the present. For most people, watching television puts you in a passive state of mind, and time slips right by. Daydreaming and getting lost in a good movie
or book isn't bad, but it's not living in the moment because it places
your concentration on something that isn't right here, right now;
it's a form of escapism. Don't zone out; zone in. Do things
that are active, and that encourage you to look around and
engage the world in that moment. Gardening, playing a game,
knitting, and playing an instrument are all activities that
lend themselves to mindfulness. So get off the computer after reading this article and start Living Life NOW!