The present is really the only thing that we can control. The past has already happened, and the things that took place can’t be altered by anything that we decide to do now. On the other hand, the future might seem more manageable, but the truth is that there’s only so much you can do to affect where your life will go. Even if you plan for everything, there’s always a chance that something unexpected will still happen. With that in mind, you might find that you live a happier life, if you can learn how to exist more fully in the moment. That doesn’t mean never being prepared or ignoring your responsibilities but paying more attention to the experiences you have today.
Stop Dwelling
Sometimes, it’s important to think about uncomfortable things. Knowing that you have a big test or presentation coming up means you need to take the time to prepare for it. If you’re aware that you usually have problems with money, putting a little cash in an emergency fund can protect you. However, once you’ve taken the rational steps available to prepare for the future, you need to know when to stop dwelling. If you put some cash into your emergency fund, but you still need to take out a payday loan this month because you have another emergency issue to deal with, there’s no need to sit and stress about it, or tell yourself that you should have saved more. Accept that some things don’t always go according to plan.
Be Grateful
The biggest issue that most people have these days, is that they spend too much time focusing on the things that they find upsetting or painful, and not enough time concentrating on the things that make them happy. The little things in your life can bring you a lot of joy if you let them. The first sip of coffee that you have each morning before work can bring a smile to your face. When you come home and see your family, enjoy the fact that you have people around you that you love, and that love you in return. Paying more attention to the little things in your life that make the world wonderful shows you just how lucky you are.
Be Open
Finally, if you really want to live in the moment, you can’t allow yourself to be constantly influenced by the things that might happen in your life. Following a routine that’s all about what if’s means that you live your life constantly stuck in your comfort zone and unwilling to explore other ideas. Next time you have the chance to try something new, think about whether you should be saying yes instead of no. If the activity isn’t going to harm you or anyone else in anyway, but you’re just not sure if you’re going to enjoy it, maybe it’s time to branch out. The experiences that you have now will make up the memories that you hold close in the future.
