The only moment you have is right now. Most of us are either thinking about what needs to be done in the future or thinking about what happened in the past. The mind can wreak havoc on you if you do not become its master. When you are fully present in the moment, time no longer exists.
You can practice being present in the current moment in many ways. As you make it an experiment to practice, it will become a new habit. When living in the present becomes your dominant mindset, you will be able to experience life to the fullest. Here are a few suggestions to try in order to be present.
1. While eating, chew slowly and observe the taste, feel, and smell of the food. Savor each bite and enjoy the moment of the initial taste, the moment of it being swallowed, and the moment the meal is over, be grateful for the experience. (Remember gratitude!)
2. When taking a bath or a shower, take the time to feel the water on your body. Observe the temperature, observe the sensation of the soap or the scent. Feel the water flow down your skin. A few more minutes to do a mindless routine will make you more aware of what is taking place NOW.
3. When talking to someone, really listen, look them in the eye, and when you catch your mind drift elsewhere, bring yourself back to the present.
4. When watching movie, really observe the acting, the surroundings, the music, and whatever else that catches your eye. If you are watching a movie that doesn't interest you, turn it off. Don't waste time to suffer through it unless you want to the experience of boredom. A great movie will bring you completely present as you enjoy watching and being a part of it by experiencing the feelings that it conveys.
There are countless ways to learn to be present, so use your imagination along this journey. The more you practice, the better you will get at it. Living in the moment is so much better than living in the past or worrying about what might happen. Neither exist, so why bother?
