[00:16.68]To a large degree, the measure of our peace of mind is determined
[00:21.81]by how much we are able to live in the present moment.
[00:26.37]Irrespective of what happened yesterday or last year, and what may or may not happen tomorrow,
[00:33.75]the present moment is where you are - always!
[00:38.20]Without question, many of us have mastered the neurotic art of spending much of our lives
[00:44.76]worrying about a variety of things - all at once.
[00:49.21]We allow past problems and future concerns to dominate our present moments,
[00:55.43]so much so that we end up anxious, frustrated, depressed, and hopeless.
[01:02.61]On the flip side, we also postpone our gratification, our stated priorities,
[01:08.81]and our happiness, often convincing ourselves that “someday” will be better than today.
[01:16.34]Unfortunately, the same mental dynamics that tell us to look toward the future will only repeat themselves
[01:23.80]so that “someday” never actually arrives. John Lennon once said,
[01:29.71]“Life is what’s happening while we’re busy making other plans.” When we’re busy making “other plans”,
[01:37.15]our children are busy growing up, and people we love are moving away and dying,
[01:42.94]our bodies are getting out of shape, and our dreams are slipping away. In short, we miss out on life.
[01:51.75]Many people live as if life were a dress rehearsal for some later date. It isn’t.
[01:59.21]In fact, no one has a guarantee that he or she will be here tomorrow.
[02:05.80]Now is the only time we have, and the only time that we have any control over.
[02:11.96]When our attention is in the present moment, we push fear from our minds.
[02:18.00]Fear is the concern over events that might happen in the future - we won’t have enough money,
[02:25.52]our children will get into trouble, we will get old and die, whatever.
[02:31.01]To combat fear, the best strategy is to learn to bring your attention back to the present.
[02:38.00]Mark Twain said, “I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.”
[02:45.95]I don’t think I can say it any better. Practice keeping your attention on the here and now.
[02:52.25]Your efforts will pay great dividends.
