“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
~ Buddha
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.”
~ Henry David Thoreau
We won a trip to Hawaii from radio show contest about 12 years ago. We were thrilled. We got to stay at the Embassy Suites with full breakfast (always important with kids!) and a rental car for 5 days. Little did we know that we’d be getting one of the biggest lessons we’d ever learn in life, “Don’t wish your life away!”
We woke up very early because of jet lag. The sun was just rising and the sky was pink and dark blue, the air warm and balmy and the ocean was just the right temperature. I sat on a beach chair with the baby. Oliver was just 10 months old. While John watched the boys, ages 5 and 7, chase the waves. A man in his 60s came up to John and they began to have a conversation. He was in Maui and retired. He had brought his whole family to be with him and his wife. John and I had often talked about how fun it would be in the future to pay for our boys, their wives and children sometime to meet and have a trip just like that. He made the comment to this man, “I can’t wait until I’m retired.” The man’s answer was, “Don’t wish your life away.”
Here are 8 ways to not wish your life away and stay grounded in the present:
1. Before you put your feet on the ground when you wake up, think about something nice you can do for someone else that day.
2. Close your eyes. Use your other senses besides sight. What are the smells? What do you feel on your face, the sun or wind? What are you hearing? If you are eating, then really taste the food instead of just eating to satisfy hunger. When you open your eyes you will be more attentive to the present moment.
3. Instead of always feeling stressed or anticipating some anxiety, go out and do something! Take a walk in a beautiful spot, workout; get your body moving and your blood flowing.
4. Be mindful, slow down. Wake up early and enjoy the coffee with your loved ones. Actually stop at every stop sign. Take a deep breath and as you exhale, drive away. Pay attention to where you’re driving and what you’re doing at work.
5. Make a list on paper, so that you don’t have a running list in your head.
6. Be quiet in nature. I try to go outside and watch the sunset each night. I listen and watch the wildlife in our yard. Look at the stars. All simple things, but it works.
7. Have a real conversation. Listen to what a person is telling you. Look in their eyes, ask questions. Participate. Don’t think of something else while they talk.
8. Many eastern practices have helped people to live in the moment: meditation and yoga are two examples.
While we never knew his name, the retired man on the beach in Maui left a big impression on us. And while we often dream of the future, we try to stay grounded in the present and remind ourselves daily of how lucky we are!
