Do you know how to be truly present in your life? This is an essential question that too many of us overlook.
How often do you hear someone say, “Oh my gosh, it’s already this time of year? It went by so fast!”? Or how many mothers have exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, my kids are this age now! It goes by so quickly!”?
If these words have come out of your mouth, this is your cue to… S L O W D O W N.
We miss so many precious moments of our lives when we don’t take the time to slow down. This is why life seems to rush by. (And no, I’m not talking about the natural shift in perception that happens as we get older.)
The Reality of Our Busy Lives
If you're only present for small chunks of the day—just a brief moment in the morning, a little in the afternoon, and some more in the evening—then your 16-hour day is really made up of just a few tiny slices of life.
No wonder time feels like it flies by.
What If You Were Present for Every Moment?
Imagine what would happen if you were fully present in every moment of your life. You would stop being one of those people who say, “It went by so fast!” because you’d be there for all of those moments. You wouldn’t miss any of them.
How Do We Miss Moments?
Sometimes, we can’t help it. For example, think about your daily commute. When you drive the same route every day, your mind often wanders. You're thinking about everything else—work, family, errands—except for the drive itself. You won’t remember the color of the jacket a pedestrian was wearing, how many people crossed the street in front of you, or the colors of the cars around you.
When we engage in repetitive tasks, our minds check out. We stop paying attention to the present moment, and before we know it, we’ve missed the life that’s happening right in front of us.
How to Stop Missing Moments: Mindfulness
The solution? A mindfulness practice can help you reconnect with the life you’re actually living. It’s simple: use your five senses.
What do you see? Look around. Notice the colors, the shapes, and any movement happening around you.
What do you hear? Can you hear the rustle of leaves in the wind? Maybe a distant laugh or a bird chirping?
What do you smell? Pay attention to the smells around you. Maybe the air smells fresh today, or you catch a whiff of freshly mowed grass.
What do you feel? Are you aware of the chair beneath you? Do you feel the fabric of your clothes against your skin?
Taking just a moment to engage your senses allows you to fully experience the present moment.
Imagine the Difference
Imagine all the moments you’ve been missing simply because you weren't paying attention. By slowing down and truly being present, you can begin to appreciate the life you’re living right now.
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