How To Live In The Moment

By Rebecca L. Norrington

Before I discuss how to live in the moment, I’d like to say that living in the moment is, in reality, our true nature. Yes, we were all born only experiencing the present moment. Interestingly enough, we continued living in the present moment until we were approximately four or five-years-old. It’s really crazy that we’ve evolved into living in the past and/or future, rather than what was naturally intended.

Have you ever spent time watching a toddler experience life? A toddler hasn’t been indoctrinated with the infinite amount of adult thinking – not yet. No, you won’t hear a three-year-old repeating any of the following statements:

• I’m not worthy.

• I don’t like the way I look.

• I don’t have enough money.

• I’m too fat.

• I’m too old.

• I’m too short.

• I’m not smart enough.

• I’m worried.

• I’m afraid.

• I’m a failure.

Programmed At Birth

We’ve all been programmed and conditioned at an early age, to label, blame, judge, compare, label, blame, judge, compare, and repeat and repeat this. We’ve also been programmed and conditioned to live in the past/future, or even more unsettling, in our own heads. However, when we choose to indulge in this type of behavior, we automatically give up the gift of living in the present moment. Why? Because, when you label a circumstance, event, or person “good” or “bad”, you’re using a reference from the past. You cannot use a reference from the past and be in the present moment at the same time.

Are Our Thoughts The Enemy?

No. Our thoughts are just that – thoughts. It’s only when we pay too much attention to our thoughts, and take them seriously, that we suffer. Our thoughts about our circumstances (not the circumstance itself) are responsible for all of our suffering. Our runaway, all-consuming thoughts are not evidence of the TRUTH. Our thoughts are evidence of our conditioning.  

If our true nature is to live in the present moment, how do we live in that state-of-being enjoyed by children and the animal kingdom? How do we deprogram ourselves and live in the present moment?

Tip No. 1

Have the intention to live in the present moment everyday! Repeat out loud:

“I intend to live in the moment more and more each day.”

“I’m grateful to experience living in the present moment throughout my day.”

“How would it feel to experience living in the present moment all the time?” (Ask and It Is Given by Abraham-Hicks)

Tip No. 2

Commit to a daily habit of developing and practicing your awareness. I call this living consciously in an unconscious world. Yes, for the most part, we are unconscious creatures of habit; however, habitual behavior does not produce change or growth. Make a decision to change three habitual behaviors each week. Example: Drive home using a different route each day; or if you pack a lunch, eat out; or comb your hair in a different style; or think of three different (nice) responses you can make to a rude cashier. Have fun, and come up with your own personal changes. Challenge yourself and be creative. The point is to shake it up and practice doing things differently. There is no progress without practice.

Tip No. 3

In 2011, I voluntarily took a 40-day vow of silence. Now, I’m not suggesting that you do the same; however, I am suggesting that you spend sometime throughout your day being quiet. And to be perfectly clear, I mean remaining quiet while surrounded by people. This practice will definitely heighten your awareness, tenfold. The more awareness you have, the more present moments you will experience.  Another benefit of this exercise is that when you practice silence, you become a better listener. When you’re really listening to someone, you’re automatically in the present moment.

What’s so Great about Living in the Moment?

Good question. The present moment is the only real reality we have. Anything other than the present moment is, in actuality, non-existent. The past doesn’t exist unless we choose to think about it, and the future doesn’t exist, period. The present moment is the only place we are able to make choices. The present moment is the foundation of our future moments. The present moment is where we’ll find the ultimate peace and contentment. The present moment silences the mind’s chatter. In the present moment, time does not exist. The present moment is where the Universe resides.

Who are YOU?

It’s a challenging question because it’s possible that who you are today might not be who you will be tomorrow. Have you ever thought about that? Do you realize you’re not stuck with a definition of who you are? In addition, what you’re passionate about today might change tomorrow. When you’re receptive to change and you accept the fact that life is always evolving, you automatically begin to flow with reality (life) instead of resisting it. In the beginning, this concept was difficult for me to understand and embrace.

I wasn’t raised with too many options, especially when it came to personal growth. Personal growth? Spiritual growth? I don’t remember my parents connecting the two words together. And, the topic of personal growth wasn’t offered at any school I attended. How did I stumble into the pool of wanting to know more about who I was? I was in my twenties when I took my first personality test. The test was extensive and I enjoyed answering questions I’d never thought to ask myself.*

After the test results were calculated, I discovered that the person described wasn’t me. I mean, a small percentage was recognizable, but the majority was not. How could this happen? How could I fail a personality test? Then, a light bulb when off. The answer was simple. I was answering the questions the same way my father would’ve answered the questions. Yes, that’s right. I adored my father, he was my superman. When I was 12 years old, I remember telling him, “Daddy, when I grow up, I want to marry a man just like you.” Now, instead of marrying a man like my father, I was my father, literally. Like most children, I was indoctrinated to believe things about myself that I hadn’t tested or even questioned.

That is why I ask you, my dear readers, who are YOU? Do you even know? It’s a question that I think everyone needs to sit quietly and ask themselves. In my opinion, discovering who you really are is a vital component to finding peace and happiness during your life’s journey.

Let me also say, that whoever you think you are, you are much more.

*The Keirsey Temperament Sorter®-II (KTS®-II) is the most widely used personality instrument in the world. It is a powerful 70 question personality instrument that helps individuals discover their personality type. The KTS-II is based on Keirsey Temperament Theory™, published in the both bestselling books, Please Understand Me® and Please Understand Me II, by Dr. David Keirsey.