Living in the moment… What does it actually mean?
by Dr Suhail Anwar
The age old cliche.. live in the moment- we hear it a lot these days. It is apparently the key to success and happiness, the prime ingredient in the life of positively motivated, successful individuals. When faced with the day to day distractions of life, is it easier said than done- to live in the moment? what the hell does it mean any way.
Thinking about the past, regrets and remorse over events that have already happened, guilt over wrong doings in the past, dwelling over mishaps from the past -all lead to depression. Worrying about the future, planning and plotting obsessively and incessantly, a goal setting and target achieving mentality- all lead to anxiety. Living in the moment means just exactly that, living for now, in this second and minute. Letting go of the past, letting go of yesterday — learning and moving on.. is living in the moment. To know your calling, having goals and then letting go of them- to enjoy what you have in this moment.. is living in the moment.
You cannot live in the moment unless your heart is full of gratitude for everyone and everything. You cannot live in the moment unless you are prepared to forgive and forget events and people who have done you wrong. You cannot live in the moment till you have really forgiven your self for all your alleged mistakes. You cannot live in the moment if you are planning and plotting for the next hour, the next day, next year, and …. life is passing you by, whilst you are planning it meticulously.
Living in the moment requires a whole lot of mental positive attitude. We all did it when we were kids, we had no regrets, no worries. Just blissfully unaware of any past mischiefs and future mishaps we just merrily soldiered on and truly lived in the moment. We enjoyed every single second of it- surely we can do it again.
