Have you ever considered that the moment you are presently in is a moment that you will never see again?
That is called being in the present.
Those who believe in being present feel that what’s happening right now – that’s what exists, the past is gone, and tomorrow is not yet here.
In other words, your existence is always in the here and now.
Which is why it's so important to be present in the current moment.
While, there’s nothing wrong with reminiscing about the past and planning for the future, you don't want to get stuck in either one of those mindsets. And while I personally believe that there is value in taking time in your life to revisit the past and plan for the future, that’s not what this post is about.
I this post, I’ll give you 5 quotes about being present because being in the here and now is one way that you can explore managing your stress before your stress manages you. These quotes might help you get more out of life by embracing every second of your current life experience.
"To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now."
Thich Nhat Hanh
I love this quote because it makes me think about walking in nature. There’s nothing better than walking outside and seeing the greenness of the trees and the uniqueness of their leaves. Taking your shoes off and feeling the blades of grass between your toes. Connecting to nature helps slow the pulse and refresh the mind so that you can be present and stress free.
"The past is unchangeable so it is futile to reflect on it unless you are making sure you do not repeat mistakes. The future is but a result of your action today. So learn from the past to do better in the present so that you can succeed in the future."
Jordan Lejuwaan
Another way of helping yourself remain in the present moment and lessening your stress is through developing a habit of self reflection.
Self-reflection gives you the ability to gain a measure of control over your life. For you to check in and see what you’ve been doing to reach your goals. What’s been working and what’s not working. Although self reflection involves looking at the past, it’s purpose is to help you manage your present so that when the future comes, it can be a wonderful present moment for you.
"Time is basically an illusion created by the mind to aid in our sense of temporal presence in the vast ocean of space. Without the neurons to create a virtual perception of the past and the future based on all our experiences, there is no actual existence of the past and the future. All that there is, is the present."
Abhijit Naskar
To me this quote is all about mindfulness. Mindfulness and being present are closely related. In mindfulness, you are bringing your full self and attention to the moment that you’re currently experiencing. It helps you relish what you’re experiencing. For instance, take the simple act of enjoying a cup of tea.
As you pour your tea, consider its color, the sound that it makes as it enters the cup, how it spreads out into the cup.
As you begin to drink the tea notice:
The aroma
The contrast in color of your tea against the color of the cup
What does the tea feel like when it sits on your tongue?
What flavors do you notice?
Can you feel the warmth of the tea as it rolls down your throat?
How does it feel as the warmth fills your body?
This is what it’s like to be mindful as you drink your tea. You’re present and relaxed in the moment which automatically lowers your stress and helps you to better appreciate your current reality.
"If you've ever tried to keep a diary, then you'll know that the problem of trying to write about the past really starts in the present: No matter how fast you write, you're always stuck in the then and you can never catch up to what's happening now, which means that now is pretty much doomed to extinction."
Ruth Ozeki
To me this quote is related to journaling. Yes it can be hard to keep up with and depending on your situation, it can be hard to reexamine your past. However, you can use journaling to help you be present. Which means that besides the traditional journaling methods of writing about your goals or about your gratitude, you can try exercises like this one:
Pick your favorite object in the room that you are currently in.
Look at it – truly look at it! What do you see?
What color is it?
How is it shaped?
How does it compare to other objects in the room?
How does it feel?
Does it make any sound? If so, what kind?
How do you feel about the object?
You get the idea. This exercise helps you not only remain present but you have the extra added bonus of developing a deep appreciation of something that you own!
"Your words, thoughts, intentions and actions today are your best hope, comfort, building blocks and insurance for tomorrow. But it is now alone that is guaranteed – tomorrow is a dream, maybe a potential gift. It’s now - not tomorrow - where happiness and fulfilment live...awaiting your discovery. It’s all this that will make each extra day that may arrive extra special and rich."
Rasheed Ogunlaru
To me, this quote speaks to the importance of being mindful of the present. Because again – the past is past and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Think about it like this, life is a series of experiences. And the best way to really experience something is to be fully vested and fully present. Mindfulness is the way that you remain in the present.
That's it for this week. Tune in for next week's post where I cover 5 more quotes related to being fully present in your every day life. You can do it because it's all about Making Time.
Let's talk. What's your favorite quote about being present that you use to help improve your daily life? Let me know in the comments section.
Cassandra Martin-Himmons is a facilitator, stress management coach and author of “Yes I’m Grateful,” a gratitude journal. She believes in empowering her clients to help them manage their stress and increase self-care. In her spare time, she enjoys papercrafting, volunteering and travel. Connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn