Editor’s Note: This post was written by [1] 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 [2] 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, [3] www.thenowwatch.com.

“One today is worth two tomorrows.” ~Benjamin Franklin