“In the name of God,
stop a moment,
cease your work,
look around you.” 
Leo Tolstoy

This moment, this very moment as you read these words, will never happen again. In fact, it’s gone already. It is a part of your history. You may not retrieve it, nor may you re-live it. This is the reality of life, and this is precisely why it is crucial that we give adequate attention to the present moment.

I think it’s safe to say that we are all guilty of overlooking the present moment from time to time — some more often than others. The degree of mindfulness required to stay focused on the present moment is incalculable, if it is even possible. It seems to be human nature to constantly reflect back on our past and to anticipate our future. These are both acceptable and sensible practices. The problem arises when we get stuck on one or the other at the expense of missing out on today. Our lives become more meaningful when we realize the simple fact that we will never get the same moment twice.

Maya Angelou, acknowledging the common practice of not being conscious of the present moment, wrote, “If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present… gratefully.”

American psychologist Abraham Maslow issued a valid reason for making an effort to stay in the present. He said, “The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.” I would think so. When we find ourselves preoccupied with thinking about the past, we often experience a sense of frustration or regret, wishing that we had said or done things differently. And when we find our attention fixed on the future, we can be overcome with fear and anxiety as we anticipate all the worst-case scenarios which we may, in fact, never experience.

Natalie Imbruglia is a songwriter and actress from Sidney, Australia. She voiced a concern shared by many when she said, “Enjoy every moment: you never know when things might change.” Most of us, I would think, have already experienced such a time in our lives, often resulting in feelings of regret. Things do change. That’s how life works. All the more reason to pay closer attention to what’s happening in our lives at the present moment. 

In 1979, Mother Teresa of Calcutta was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work in India. In 2016, she was canonized a saint in the Catholic Church. These are achievements most of us don’t expect to replicate in our lifetime. She once said, “Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.” While I am inspired by these words, I am well aware that her advice is incredibly challenging for most of us.

The two take-away words for today are present and grateful. Thank you for taking these few moments of your life to read today’s blog post. I hope it was well worth your time and attention.