I’ve known so many people in my life who say “I wish I had just…” or “If I had it all to do over again, I’d…” I know a lot of people who’ve said these things and I happen to be one of them. At some point in our life, we will look back over the years and we can be overcome with a sense of regret.
These days, the idea of “mindfulness” has really become popular. There are differing definitions of what it means to be mindful, but overall, there are a few commonalities: a). Live more in the moment. b). Be mindful of your thoughts and emotions. c). Be aware and in control of your reactions to your surroundings.
Of course, there is much more to mindfulness, but for me, these three basics suffice. One of the more vital aspects is to live more in the present and not ruminating on the past or stressing over the future. I do believe that its normal to think about our past and wonder about the future, but at some point, we risk getting stuck in another time and that results in our missing out on the present.
A key trait of a positive thinker is being eager and focused to seize the moment — to take each day as it comes and to enjoy every moment we can. We try to savor simple things that bring us pleasure and we make the effort to appreciate the time now…to be present.
This truism has made its way around social media and it puts being mindful and living in the moment into a great context. Unfortunately, I don’t know the original author, but who ever wrote it, hit the nail on the head:
Barely the day started and it’s already six in the evening.
Barely arrived on Monday and it’s already Friday.
.. and the month is already over.
.. and the year is almost over.
.. and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed.
.. and we realize that we lost our parents, friends.
.. and we realize it’s too late to go back.
So…let’s try, despite everything, to enjoy the remaining time.
Let’s keep looking for activities that we like.
Let’s put some color in our grey.
Let’s smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts.
And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy with serenity this time we have left.
Let’s try to eliminate the afters…
I’m doing it after.
I’ll say after.
I’ll think about it after.
We leave everything for later like ′′after′′ is ours.
Because what we don’t understand is that:
Afterwards, the coffee gets cold.
Afterwards, priorities change.
Afterwards, the charm is broken.
Afterwards, health passes.
Afterwards, the kids grow up.
Afterwards parents get old.
Afterwards, promises are forgotten.
Afterwards, the day becomes the night.
Afterwards, life ends.
And then it’s often too late.
So…let’s leave nothing for later.
Because still waiting to see later, we can lose the best moments,
the best experiences, best friends, the best family.
The day is today. The moment is now.
We are no longer at the age where we can afford to postpone what
needs to be done right away.
It looks like an eternity, but it’s a short trip…
Enjoy life and always be kind.
Wise words indeed. Life is what we make of it and the world can be a harsh place, wearing us out on a daily basis. But we have to fortify our strength to keep the world from getting us down — we have to choose happiness, embrace positivity, be grateful, be loving, show kindness and, we have to make the most out of every single day.
“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.”— Marcus Aurelius
“Remember the blue sky. It may at times be obscured by clouds, but it is always there.” — Andy Puddicombe
“No matter what your history has been, your destiny is what you create today. What are you going to create?”— Steve Maraboli
“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.”— Jim Rohn
