There’s No Time Like Now: The Importance of Living in the Present Moment

Jan 27, 2022 | Mindset

It can be hard to focus on the present moment, especially when you’re juggling a lot of things. 

The demands of modern life often make it challenging to stay in the present. We’re constantly bombarded with distractions and obligations.

The present moment is all we have. The past has already happened, and the future hasn’t happened yet. The only time that exists is now, so why not make it count? 

The importance of living in the present moment is that it is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. It means that you have everything you need to do what you want and that you can do it with what you have and where you are. 

Taking action on your dreams and goals doesn’t have to be a wait-and-see process. Taking action on the slightest idea can make all the difference. It makes your vision real right away and kills it down the road because you used your will to take charge.

The best way to live in the present moment is by taking action on your dreams and goals right away. 

The Importance of Living in the Present Moment

Key Points

  • The most empowering thing that you can do for yourself is start living in the present moment.
  • The present moment is all you have at any time, so it’s imperative to learn how to live in it.
  • The ability to be truly happy can only happen in the present moment.

The Importance of Living in the Present Moment 

There are so many people in our culture today who are running around to be somewhere else. In our lives, we all want to be somewhere else in terms of geography, money, or relationships. People have told us that if only we could be somewhere else, our lives would work. We want to be somewhere else. This escapism is like a drug that only gives short-term relief to a long-term problem.

Besides wanting to be somewhere else, most people today also live by the idea of “someday.” This lets them think they can manipulate time. “I can do it, but not right now. I’ll do it when I can.” There are a lot of things that people say to stay in their comfort zones. 

The problem is that both “someday” and “somewhere” aren’t clear or real. “Somewhere” does not exist, and “someday” never comes, although you keep hoping for it to. This can be very disheartening and cause a lot of people to be angry and disappointed.

The truth, however, is that right now is all you have. When you learn to fully live in the moment, you’ll have a better life. Tomorrow is not yet here, so this is important to understand. When you are grateful, you don’t give up on your goals or drive. Instead, you can slow down and enjoy the ride more. Isn’t it a good thing to want more out of life? It’s also a must to be truly happy, and knowing where you are is vital to getting there. 

Using “someday” as an excuse to make your problems easier doesn’t work. It will not lead to long-term success and happiness. It’s time for you to tell the truth and stop making up excuses to make yourself feel better. Some pain is good because it will at least make you move. 

Do something right now to make your ideas come true. You can always take one small step.

It’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself. This means that you have everything you need to do what you want right now. And that you can do it with what you have and where you are. 

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Photo by Kampus Production from Pexels

The Power of Taking Action Now

It’s important to know that the point of pursuing a goal or dream isn’t just to get there. It’s also to enjoy the process of getting there. You don’t go on a trip to get to a destination but go on a trip. There is a good chance you will spend more time pursuing your dream or goal than actually achieving it. Many goals aren’t inspiring once you do achieve them. During the process, you will be happy. The actual experience makes you become something instead of just having things. With or without your goal, likely, you won’t be satisfied and grateful.

Live in the moment, and know where you’re going next. Be right here and celebrate and record the best parts of your life. They are the treasures you get to take with you into your future. That is going to be even more amazing than you could have ever dreamed of. Life is to be lived and made in the moment. 

The best way to use your thoughts and knowledge is to do something. Action is what eventually decides your fate. Keep moving in the direction you want. Don’t be swayed by the idea that someday things will work out for you or your luck will change. 

To be happy, you have to be grateful for all the things you already have. Especially if you think they aren’t enough. They are. One of the best things about being alive is starting right now with what you have. You can make anything you want because the ultimate resources for life are inside of you.

You won’t be able to stay long-term if you live in a place called somewhere, even though it might feel suitable for a short time. Making up stories about when you’ll do what you want to do will only make you feel like you have to do more work than you should. There are many things that you can do now if you change your “someday” philosophy into a “same day” philosophy. You can take action on your ideas right away with the resources and place you are in.

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Photo by Uriel Mont from Pexels

It all comes down to this one day or somewhere: You tell yourself that what you need isn’t available to you. This makes you think that you are not in charge of your life. That you have to wait for something else to happen before you can take control. 

To get the most out of your existing resources, you must take action right now, no matter what your excuses say. This is true even if you make excuses. True happiness and gratitude don’t depend on what happens outside of you. They are only based on how you feel about where you are now

Now, you have the seed for the rest of your life. For you are the one who made it, so plant it with joy and water it with gratitude, and enjoy your life because you made it.

The Value of Making Your Dreams and Goals a Reality 

When you constantly tell yourself that it’s hard to do the things you want to do, it becomes easy not to take action. When an opportunity is gone for good or isn’t coming back again, your goal is taken away too. That’s the most valuable thing about taking action now. The entire reason things are so challenging is that you keep telling yourself that they are. 

The only way to succeed is to believe in your ability and know you’re going to get it done. And then take action as if you already have, even if you don’t feel like it at first. The things that make life worth living are those tiny moments where you are completely alive. When you connect with the world and with your true inner nature

The best thing about having dreams and goals is that you get to be happier than the average person. You’re constantly forcing yourself to do things that most people don’t want to do. The most significant step is actually wanting something and not just thinking about it. When you feel like there’s no time to take action, tell yourself that this is precisely why you should

The only thing stopping you from taking action is yourself. The harder you work, the luckier you get. The main thing you have to do is show up and put a foot out in front of the other one. The trick to getting what you want is first believing that it exists. Then going for it without any hesitation.

The journey creates happiness and gratitude, not just getting there. The excuses you make will only inhibit you from getting the most out of what is available to you. The good news is that a small part of you gets to make every decision. Now, you have the seed for the rest of your life. 

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The Impact of Being Present on Your Quality of Life 

‘We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.’

Henry David Thoreau 

The concept of living in the present moment has been espoused by everyone from The Buddha and The Dalai Lama to Oprah and Eckhart Tolle. The benefits of being able to appreciate any moment are many. And this is regardless of the conditions in which you find yourself. 

The ability to be truly happy can only happen in the present moment. When we’re worried about the future, we’re afraid that things may not go the way we hope. You can only be happy when your needs are being met right now. The present moment is all you have at any time, so it’s imperative to learn how to live in it. 

The more time you spend worrying about the future or fretting over the past, the less time you’ll have to enjoy yourself in the present. What John Lennon said is true: “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” 

The key to enjoying your life lies in your ability to live in the moment. To appreciate what’s happening right now. The past can’t be changed. The future isn’t guaranteed. And if you’re worried about “what’s next,” then you’ll always miss out on what is happening in front of your very eyes. The more you can appreciate the present moment, the happier you will be. 

Conclusion 

The most empowering thing that you can do for yourself is start living in the present moment. The future will always be uncertain, and the past is already gone. The only time you have any control over what’s going on is right now. The trick to living in the present moment is to understand that all of your needs are always met. 

The concepts of the past and the future are an illusion. Only the now, the present, that has any actual existence. The present moment is where life really happens. Most people cannot appreciate it because they’re too busy worrying about needing things. 

The next time you catch yourself worrying about some future event, remember that worrying can never change the outcome of things. More often than not, it makes you more stressed out. The best thing to do is take a few deep breaths, mindfully pay attention to your surroundings, and appreciate all that you have right now. 

The trick is to understand that your needs are always being met. Even if they aren’t being met the way you want them to be. The more you practice mindfulness and appreciate what is around you today, the less stressed out and anxious you will be about tomorrow. The ability to live in the present moment is something every single one of us can learn with practice and patience. The benefits are well worth it.

“Good questions outrank easy answers.” – Paul A. Samuelson (American economist)

  • Are you living in the present moment?
  • Why is it so hard for people to live in the present moment?
  • What do you think is the biggest obstacle preventing people from living in the present moment?

Want more? Get the free guide Quiet Confidence: A Men’s Guide to Living a Free, Authentic, Joyful, Centered, & Purposeful Life

This workbook will introduce mindfulness as a foundation for living a more deliberate, authentic, purposeful life of peace, freedom, health, and fulfillment.

About Me

 

I’m Bryan Benardino, a transformative coach specializing in empowering high-achieving professionals in midlife transitions and are unsatisfied with their relationships.

I help men break free from emotional barriers, cultivate authentic expression, and create fulfilling relationships.

Together, we’ll unleash your true masculine purpose, power, and passion, guiding you from a state of “Stuck, Struggling Mid-Life Mediocrity” to becoming a “Quietly Confident Embodied Masculine Man.”

Experience a deliberate, authentic, purposeful life filled with peace, freedom, ease, and fulfillment.

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