The Power of Living in the Present Moment

There is a bible verse that most of us are aware of but few of us truly follow (including me.)

The Bible verse says, “Tomorrow is not promised.”  Matthew 6:34 goes on to state, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 

The verse is part of the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament.  The main message of the verse is to focus on what God is doing in the present and not to worry about what might happen in the future.  Stay present in the everyday.  

Why is it such a challenge for most of us to simply take each day as it comes as opposed to putting so much focus on the future?

And now, being in the last quarter of the year, the time I call “the season of planning,” it’s made even more difficult to live in present time.  

The popular example has to be retail shops.  It’s like we have condensed all the holidays for the next three months into one huge holiday that seems to start earlier and earlier each year. 

While we’re still complaining about the oppressively hot temperatures of summer, still grilling outdoors, still visiting farmer’s markets and outdoor events, the retailers are putting jack-o-lanterns, next to fake Christmas trees and turkey basters are on clearance.       

It’s hard to practice living in the now when you live in a culture that’s giving us completely different cues. 

And yet, the research shows that living like the Bible verse is the way to go. Living a "one day at a time" lifestyle can significantly enhance our well-being and reduce anxiety.     

Understanding the Philosophy

The essence of living one day at a time is to focus on the present moment rather than being overwhelmed by past regrets or future worries. This approach encourages you to appreciate each day as a unique opportunity for growth and fulfillment.

Benefits of Living One Day at a Time

Reduced Anxiety – If we can stay in the “now” it helps to alleviate worries about tomorrow. We’re happier when we’re not constantly peering into the future. 

Increased Fulfillment - By engaging fully with each moment, we cultivate a deeper appreciation and gratitude for life.

Better Mental Health – Decluttering your mind helps you make room to understand your emotions and your triggers better today.  And you’ll have more capacity to cope with stressful situations.

Challenges to Living One Day at a Time

Negative Thoughts – One easy way to get pulled out of the present is with negative thoughts.  It’s bound to happen, especially if you’re new to this mindset shift.  Give yourself grace and as soon as you’re aware of your thoughts change the channel.

Coming from Lack – If you’ve developed a habit of focusing on lack instead of feeling grateful for what you have it can be a difficult habit to break. Do your best.

Self-Criticism - When we’re working on being more present we may realize we haven’t been present and then criticize ourselves.  Crazy, but we all do it.  If we are too critical, of course, it removes us further from being present.  So watch the self-criticism.  I don’t know if it can be completely eliminated but we can do our best.

Future consequences – In all this talk of being present – living in the moment we don’t want to overlook the future.  This is a very delicate balance between the future and the now.  Don’t become so obsessed with living in the now that we make our future more complicated.   

Expectations – The goal is to live life more in the now than in the future.  Believing you can create a situation where you think that’s always possible or for that matter optimal is probably going a bit too far.  The goal is to live our life with grace and gratitude and enjoy more of the everyday.   

Steps to Implement Living in the Present Moment

It all becomes easier with practice so let’s look at the steps that help us live this philosophy.

Acknowledge the Present – Recognize that each day is precious and once it’s gone, cannot be relieved.  Embrace the idea that today is truly all you have and commit to it fully.

I was just about to edit that last sentence but decided it was probably worth talking about. 

If you’re anything like me, that statement is a tiny bit anxiety-producing. It’s not exactly a “feel good” moment to think of this moment as “all I have.” 

If you’re having the same problem, let me offer up a suggestion.  In the above sentence, change the “all” to “what.”  So, it’s what you have, not all you have. 

Feel better?  Let’s move on.

Set Daily Goals -   This may seem counter-intuitive if you’re living in the moment.  But hear me out.   Choose one area of your life to focus on each day.  Keep it to one area.  This could be anything – personal growth, exercise, work-related tasks, or simply a hobby.  Dedicate a specific amount of time to this goal.  This exercise should allow for incremental progress in living in the moment without feeling overwhelmed.

Practice Mindfulness – This one is truly important.  Try meditation or deep breathing.  Try taking a walk in nature.  These practices help center your thoughts in the present, making it easier to avoid dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. 

Concentrate on what You can Accomplish Today – Break tasks into smaller steps.  Instead of focusing on long-term goals that may seem almost impossible to achieve, break them down into smaller, more achievable tasks.  Concentrate on the today.      

Give Yourself Grace - Cultivate self-compassion.  You (we) are not perfect.  You probably won’t get this right the first time.  But just like when you’re training a muscle, you will get stronger over time.  It's a process.

Appreciate Your Journey – At the end of each day, take a moment to reflect on your day, especially what you accomplished and how you felt.

And finally,

Build Flexibility into Your Day – You will have routine and habit in your days but also make room for part of your days to unfold naturally.  Sometimes, unplanned activities can bring joy and fulfillment.  Spontaneity is a wonderful part of living in the moment. 

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