The power of the present

“Yesterday is history,

tomorrow is a mystery,

and today is a gift...

that's why they call it present.”

Does this line seem familiar? These are the famous lines said by Oogway to Panda in the movie Kung Fu Panda. Though it was originally told by Eleanor Roosevelt.

I think about this line a lot when I'm in a pinch. I go back in time and think "How did I get here" or "Why is this happening". At times like these, it becomes imperative to focus on the task at hand rather than ruffle through the past for answers.

So this is what I remind myself whenever I start reeling -

“Time is your most valuable resource.”

But, Time is not the same thing as Now.

1. Only look in the past to avoid your mistakes.

The past will always have a hold on us. Those past events have shaped our thoughts, action and being. So, it cannot be avoided, forgotten or changed. But we can always learn from it. Learn what mistakes were made last time and not repeat them.

2. Look in the future to plan things.

Living in the future causes anxiety. You will often hear the phrase "What will happen?" You don't know the outcome when several external factors are involved. It is best to think of the future in the context of planning things instead of worrying about it.

So be in the present.

The best is now because this is the moment you can enjoy, shape, and take charge of.

But, what does being in the present mean?

Being in the present means being fully conscious of the moment and free from the noise of our internal dialogue. It's often associated with feelings of stillness and peace. Being present becomes, then, a way to handle any problem, any distraction, and any stressor. It allows everything else to fade away, leaving only you and whatever you're dealing with. It's only you and the thing in front of you. This way, we choose how we deal with challenges in our lives.

How to achieve it?

It's always easier said than done. "Be in the present" But how?

A. The first task would be being aware of our surroundings and what we are doing.

Savour your food.

Listen to the sounds around you.

Feel the sunshine on your skin.

This helps us pay attention to the feeds of our senses like what people are doing, or saying to us.

B. Another way to be in the present moment is to focus on one take at a time. Multi-tasking only distracts us from the primary task at hand. Monotasking can help you be more present and attentive. So, focus on one work at a time. In some cases, multitasking becomes unavoidable, but we can always be mindful of how we multitask.

C. Remove unneeded possession.

When something is making it difficult for you to stay in the present, it's a distraction. It may not be always in our hands to get rid of these distractions in life but we can always try to remove them while doing the most important work.

Love what you are doing now, focus on now or you will forever be lost in the past. The past has already been done. So unless you need to apologize about it and repent then forever grieve about it. Again it's not always possible to maintain this with the constant change of stimuli but we can always attempt to better our lives. Living in the moment benefits our relationships, productivity and our overall wellness.