by J. Lang Wood

Created on: February 10, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

We only have now. The past is gone. Tomorrow is yet to be. We hear this often, but what does it mean? And how does it fit into rational planning for the future that every intelligent human being does? How can we plan for the future, and still stop to smell the roses in the present moment?

People On The Run

We all know people who are forever planning for the future. They may be very careful with money, or they are very goal-oriented and always involved in some sort of self-improvement for a future position. Usually, we admire them for these qualities, but they do often seem distracted and only semi-present to the conditions and people around them. Sometimes, these people find themselves with broken relationships because they never fully-invested themselves in the person they were with, or they didn't make time for them while they were chasing their dream. We've all heard the case of workaholic husbands and fathers who have no idea who their wives or children really are, and later in life discover that the time to learn about these people in their lives has passed, and they can't get the time back. These people have not realized the importance of Now.

The Meaning of Now

Now is this moment, and every moment after moment, of seeing what our lives are composed of, and how important it all is in fitting together. Now is being truly invested in people around us. Now is paying attention to how they look, feel, think, what troubles them, what makes them happy, and how we fit into their lives. And it's noticing how we feel, think, what troubles us, and what makes us happy. Now is feeling ourselves exist, without judgment about the past or worry about the future. It's about being here now.

You Are Here

It sounds as if it should be easy, but it takes some concentration. So often during each day, our thoughts pull us back to events that have happened in the past, or push us forward into what may occur in the future. We spent whole blocks of our day being bounced between our ideas about the past and the future. Often it keeps us so busy, we don't notice what's going on at present. Being in the moment asks you to stop this mental and emotional push-and-pull. It requires you to stand still and feel yourself be, right here, right now.

The Benefits of Being in the Present

Living in the now forces you to look around you to see what is in your present world. It allows you to assess it. It allows you to enjoy it. It gives you time to correct problems that are occurring now, and celebrate the good fortune that exists presently. It's like a gift of extra time, because now keeps happening, over and over, moment after moment.

Enjoy the Now. It will help you make better decisions about the future, and it will help create memories that will make a better past.

Learn more about this author, J. Lang Wood.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.