It sounds great to “be in the present moment” doesn’t it? Of course that makes sense. But, it’s also a phrase that’s become very overused.

Here’s how I think about it’s meaning that might help you put it to good use instead of it floating around your brain next to doing yoga and meditation which can make it sound like an activity that you need a certified guide for.

Replay Loop

I’ve come to realize that it’s easy for me to overthink the past, and to replay conversations and events over and over again so I can see what I could have/would have/or should have done differently. It’s a true statement and one that I’m not particularly proud of but it’s easy to leave an interaction with someone and think about what could have gone better.

Have you ever caught yourself in that replay loop?

Being caught up in the replay loop is so unproductive. After about one to two mental re-dos of an event, it’s no longer helpful to re-hash the happening. It moves quickly into the territory of becoming a broken record. Yuck!

Futurama

Living only for the future isn’t that great either. It typically means you’re rushing from one task, chore, dinner, breakfast or conversation to the next thing, whatever it may be. Have you ever felt that you’re not really paying attention when you’re in a hurry like this? I know I have and I often feel bad when I have to tell someone important that I just missed everything they said. All because I was rushing to get my to-do list done.

Here and Now

The right place is here and now because where you are *right now* needs you! The present moment needs you to be aware of what’s going on around you and to engage with the moment so you can keep going to the next present moment. Make sense?

You’re being called to be of service right now, right here with what’s going on. Literally.

You’re not needed in the past and you’re not needed in the future because now is where is where you need to show up and support yourself. Nomatter how good or bad of a moment it is. It doesn’t serve you to be anywhere but in the present moment.

The current moment depends on you to be there. That conversation with your daughter or spouse needs you to be fully present listening and interacting with the other person and yourself. That work project needs you to be engaged with it. Doing dishes, scrolling your Facebook feed or some other form of multitasking only pulls you away from the present moment. It can be so tough to enjoy your day when all of your present moments are overfilled with distractions.

When you stop multitasking and start being fully engaged in the present moment, what benefits do you see happening in your conversations and your projects? Notice how it makes you feel when your present moments are distracted, multitasking ones verses singular moments of engagement, doing one thing at a time?    

What can you do to keep your distractions at bay so you can find more fulfilling present moments? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear how you’re doing at staying out of the past’s Replay Loop and out of the worry zone of Futurama so you can stay in the present, in a way that feels good to you.  

With much love and gratitude,