The Present Moment – Which Way Do The Benefits Flow?
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Adam Rothenhaus
“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.” ~Babatunde Olatunji
After seeing Alex’s photo of his Now Watch and reading his 55 Monumental Ways To Enjoy Life’s Greatest Pleasures one question kept jumping out at me. Are Alex’s 55 ways consequences of living in the present moment or are they ways that lead us to the present moment? I wondered if anybody else was wondering which way the benefits flowed. So I reflected upon my own experience and discovered the best of all possible answers… both.
Although it is a subjective and somewhat imaginary line, I like to think that I crossed over that line and arrived in the present moment at age 23 back in 1996. With that as part of my history, I could think about where I was before I arrived in the present moment and then consider where I’ve come to since that defining moment in my life. Here’s a quick summary.
In the year or so leading up to my arrival in the present moment in 1996:
- I began to listen more attentively.
- I began to use my words more accurately.
- I began to desire a deeper sense of freedom.
- I trusted my own thoughts and made my own decisions.
- I didn’t care what other people thought about me.
- I wondered what love really meant.
- I sobered up after years of partying.
- I recognized the difference between having fun and being happy.
- I closed the gap between what I was feeling and what I was doing.
- I thought… maybe there is something to this God thing.
Naturally a lot has happened between then and now, but currently at age 35, and with presence emanating from my core, many more of Alex’s 55 ways have become a part of my life.
- I’ve become much more creative…. primarily writing and recently developing The Now Watch.
- I do my best to eat mindfully – chewing slowly, tasting more deeply, appreciating the food and where it came from.
- I see beauty everywhere using what I like to call “my vacation eyes” in everyday life looking at my world as if it’s first time I’m seeing it.
- I try to bring peace and love to the external circumstances of my daily life.
- I accept what is and have found contentment as I am.
- I am in a genuinely loving relationship.
- I pray to God and am not afraid to call God… God.
- I continue to explore, learn, and grow.
With that mix of experiences, from before and after crossing over the line of consciously living in the present moment, it seems I have enough evidence to answer which way the benefits flow. Living in harmony with principles consistent with Alex’s 55 monumental ways certainly helped lead me to the present moment back in 1996. And consequently, living in the present moment then compelled me to engage in more of his 55 ways ever since. What a cool finding… the benefits flow in both directions.
That’s why it’s such an awesome list and perhaps testimony to the miraculous nature of the present moment itself. It is as if all good things help us flow to the present moment and all those same things flow from it. The more we engage in Alex’s ways… the more present we will be. And the more present we are… the more prone we will be to engage in Alex’s ways. A win win…
This discovery has encouraged me to integrate even more of the 55 ways into my life. I can surely use a reminder to feed the hungry, get to know people better, enjoy my sense of smell, promote education, and practice gratitude. I trust that if I actually do those things, my connection to the present moment will grow even deeper. And with that deeper connection I suspect even more benefits will flow into my life. An amazing cycle…
Contest – In order to win one of four Now Watch’s that Adam has kindly given me, leave a comment in this post about how you can stay more present in today’s busy society. Don’t forget to stumble this post, thank you!
Adam Rothenhaus – Founder of The Now Watch, www.thenowwatch.com.
“One today is worth two tomorrows.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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Posted by Alex Shalman in Personal Development | March 17, 2008 | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumble | Print | 13 comments
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With the emphasis always put on saving for the future, we can sometimes lose track of the now. It’s important to take a step back and “smell the roses” so to speak on a regular basis. I’ve been doing it a lot lately…working late less and spending time with my family more. It’s necessary for a fulfilling life.
The trick is find balance. You cannot always live in the now (financially anyway) because you might set yourself up for failure later. Having the right mindset to balance your present and your future and being to switch between the two is important to enjoying today and not forgetting about tomorrow.
I didn’t think of it, but living in the present moment is probably essential to maximizing those 55 ways to enjoy life’s greatest pleasures. Living in the past creates regret, guilt, etc. Living in the future relies on dreams, aspirations….but with nothing inside them. Living in the present emphasizes what is happening now and how we can enjoy now because it is what’s real, physical, and natural.
Once we learn to live in present moment, we learn to detach our emotions and expectations of desired outcome in the future. This is essential for a healthy, happy life. Buddhists believe deeply in leaving for the present moment. For that fact that life can be cherished in the midst of difficulties, life can be a pleasant journey if I learn to live in the present moment.
I believe the benefits flow in untold, multiple directions. I even believe that often, we should just go forward, knowing that we are doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time and then just wait for things to happen.
I am reminded of a quote that says “If you’re not sure you made the right decision, then make the decision you made right” So many people delay taking action because they are afraid of making a mistake. I’ve got news for you, you’re going to make mistakes no matter what you do, BUT if you’re good, you’ll do many more thing right than wrong (and will receive positive results as a consequence).
Personally, I’m in the middle of one of those types of things right now. I’m investing lots of time and money, knowing that good things will come (and are coming – and have already come) from those investments.
Does that make sense ???
Mr. Positioning (Stanley F. Bronstein)
It’s like instead of using the aim,aim,aim,aim,aim approach you’re using the ready, fire, aim approach.
“It is difficult to live in the present, ridiculous to live in the future, and impossible to live in the past. Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.” — Jim Bishop
Alex, I think your question of how to stay more in the present in today’s busy society is a rather challenging one to answer. However, in my opinion staying in the present is a timeless aspect of our lives.
I don’t think people in the 18th Century would find it any more harder to stay in the present now then it was 2 centuries ago, wouldn’t you agree?
I’ve learnt to live in the present by remembering the adage,”We’re human beings, not human doings” and as such I would take time off to cut myself from anything but me, myself and I.
1) Exercise. I do this daily because it gives me time to “get in touch” with my body. Feeling the blood coursing through my veins remind me that I am alive. That I am here in the present. And the freshness that comes after exercise lasts for a few hours which keeps me focused and keep me feeling alive.
2) Meditate. I know when I say meditate, people start thinking of Zen and Indian men in white sitting cross-legged. Sorry to disappoint but I’m a new age guy. I lie on my bed or the floor, plug in my earphones n start playing some new age music. Slowly getting lost. Then I begin to tense and contract every muscle group in my body one at a time. From the toes all the way to the top of my head. After I’ve done this, again I feel like I am one with the Universe. I feel alive. I feel in the present.
3) Do Nothing. I know you’re thinking,”Why waste my time? Be wary my friend, that’s just the “busy metropolitan atmosphere” talking. I think the mark of a complete and whole man is one who can be with himself. No distractions. No nothing. Just he and himself for he is self-sufficient.
I hope that helps!
To CANI,
SaiF
The World’s First Teen
Personal Development Video Blogger
I have a little “zen” poem I wrote and recite: Now and then I realize there is no then in zen.
I remember Alan Watts line: If you make where you are going more important than where you are there may be no point in going.
I don’t have a NOW watch but I take my Iron Man, click to Chrono, set the time to 00:00:00 and just stay with the start.
I sometimes ask myself, what now? and then change it to what? NOW.
I maintin a hobby blog http://www.diehappytoday.com where I keep asking myself if this was the last day I lived would I die happy?
And so I remember, we only have moments to live we might as well live in those moments and the start of moments is the word mom and what better way to give birth to now than with being in our MOMents.
how you can stay more present in today’s busy society
To me living in the present means focusing on what you have at hand. Making full use of the hours you have in a day today and not think thoughts of longing for tomorrow. If you tell yourself that there is no tomorrow and that the only time you have for living is today, then I’m sure you’d feel wanting to get more out of that one day.
As for me, everyday before I leave for work I’ll hug and kiss my husband and son. Then when I drop my son of at my parents, I’ll do the same to them. Whenever, I feel appreciative of something they’ve done, I’ll say it aloud immediately because when you put it off you’ll miss the moment.
Staying more present in today’s busy society takes practise for it is often that our minds wander to future happenings and what we expect of it. Having a daily, weekly, monthly and annual plan/goal helps staying in the present because it tells you what you should do now to achieve your daily goals today that will eventually get you to the goals you set for tomorrow.
I have figured out that the more you can be in the present, the more content you are. After all, if it is more (of whatever) that you want, you cannot have it now … it is always in the future.
This is where I find Quality, that nearly dimensionless experience of flow that we all know when we are there but have a hard time defining it otherwise. Reminds me of that saying in the Tao Te Ching: “those who say do not know, those who know do not say.”
Is it “hard” to do in these busy times? Only as hard as you make it. I would say for me, it is impossible to be this state for very long at all – some number of minutes if I am lucky. I suspect others are similar. Know the present when you can …. the more you know it, the more comfortable you will become with it, the more frequently it will occur. And it will change your life.
The more you can be present in your life, living it in the now, the more you will find meaning as well.
If you want to stay in the present, just play with a child. They are always in the present.
We are living in a world that is constantly bombarding us with stimulus and information, making it difficult to know if we are thinking and feeling about the past, present or future. our mind are constantly engage to look out for threats and opportunity. this is our inbuilt mechanism for survival. We believe that we are in constant state of danger, always ready to defend to this invisible enemy. We start to built our very own universe equip with all of what could be and will be if we fail to built a wall to protect us. being in that state of mind will not allow us to be here in the present. We will always be in the “what if” place that distract us from what is really in front of our eyes.
Staying in the present starts with a simple action.
Stop and BREATH.
Feel every oxygen entering your body like the breath of life. nourishing your every cell. Concentrating on your breathing will instantly remind you that you are alive. You are here on this earth, still able to do what you want to make your journey fabulous. Breathing in deeply clears your mind and allows you to have a time our from the chaos that is rattling inside of you. With every breath, remind yourself, “I am here for a purpose, my purpose is ……” Finish it off with what you want to do at that very moment. A realignment process that will get you back on track.
Be in the FLOW.
When you part all the distraction in the world and be in the present with what is before you and loving every seconds of it is you being in the flow. Experience like this cause time to me immaterial and you glide with ease and feel that the universe conspire to be by your side. How do one gets in the FLOW? Love what you are doing and makes it exciting and challenging. Treat it as a game or a conquest. One that will make you smile from ear to ear and is so personal to you that you do not need anyone to agree or disagree because you do it for the very purpose of making you happy. Being in the FLOW is beyond concentration, this is when you call forth all that you have in you to be in sync with what you are doing. It does not feel like a chore but a pleasure in doing it.
Interconnectedness of the PRESENT.
Though we have our own perception of our own universe, it is still interconnected with someone else’s reality. When we are in the moment, acknowledging life as it is, we need to realize that there is a purpose of being in that constant state of NOW. The purpose is not for self gratification but an outcome that will makes you and everyone around you blooms. Like a smile can affects another person, so does being in the moment. It radiates high energy and brings people together to a common cause, whatever that might be. Or if you are in your own space, what you do when you are in the moment will somehow affect people directly or indirectly. it gives out energy that uplifts. So, don’t only think that it is only for your benefit, it benefits everyone around you. Be that force.
Hi I’m Lee, I am just beginning to realise the importance of living in the now. i didnt realise before what a procrastintor i was, especially when i realised that my procrastination was affecting every relationship i had and not to mention my stress levels. I would often dream about what i would do when i made more money, had more time and energy to invest in my relationships etc.. i have started to live in the now and its amazing!! My stress levels are down and my relationships are getting better and better and oh, my god, i actually feel happy! instead of pondering, i am doing and achieving. Im not saying it has been an easy process, I have had to change alot of old habits and thought patterns and i am still going through the process. I am posting my journey on my personal blog sit and would love to hear comments and advice and continue to learn.
Hi its Lee again. Personal blog.