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Now is all you have, it's all you'll ever have. The past is gone, the future is not here yet and memories are part of the past. Memories can be diluted and warped in the mind over time, so they're not even an accurate representation of the past. Now is when you are at your best, your worst and when you can create whatever future you want. The present moment is an accumulation of your prior thoughts. Make now the time you think of a great future.

Our parents, teachers and mentors are good at giving us divine advice, but what good is it if you don't know how to apply it to your own life? When people tell you to live in the now you probably think it means to enjoy what you're doing right now. That's only a small part of it. When you worry about tomorrow or later you're actually creating tomorrow and later. Let's say you have a big interview in the morning and you can't help but worry whether you're good enough. Surely there will be far better qualified applicants that will outshine you. The more you worry, the more things your mind will design for you to worry about and before you know it, you've talked yourself out of going at all.

Think of your mind like a washing machine. Whatever you put into the washing machine will be washed because that's the machine's job. If you put your cat in the washing machine, you will get a clean (and slightly mangled) cat. Your mind's job is to create. If you put worry, negative thoughts and doubt into your mind, you will receive more things to worry about and more negative experiences. Think of things you'd like to have, achieve or experience. Think of them with joy as you gratefully undertake each day.

Gratitude is a wonderful way to keep your mind home, or in the now. Even if you have a hole in your ceiling and water is dripping onto your kitchen floor, be grateful for your kitchen. Smile as you wash the dishes and imagine, or visualize, your dream kitchen. Disregard any negative feelings about the hole and the current condition of your kitchen. Go through your day and feel grateful for each and everything you have right now. You will soon feel better and be on your way to acquiring your heart's desire.

Enjoy everything you have and everything you are right now. Love the things about yourself that you've been complaining about and you will find that your new state of self acceptance and gratitude is euphoric. Each day is a new chance filled with beauty and joy. Take the time to notice all the wonder in your life right now and be grateful for it.

Learn more about this author, Stacia Elizabeth Whitbeck.
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