A few days back, one fine morning I was driving to Gurgaon.
My mind was wandering. From one question to another.
What will I accomplish today?
How’s my life going to improve?
Am I happy?
My favorite song from Coldplay “The Scientist” was playing in the background. I started singing along. When the song got over, I started thinking..
While singing the song, I was so happy. I was enjoying the lyrics, the rhythm. The song took complete control over my emotions, my thoughts. I was thinking nothing, just enjoying and singing along.
I thought to myself..
What if I could live my life like that? What if I could enjoy everything that’s happening in the present.
I drew some key lessons from this experience:
You can only think about the past or the future. And it’s frustrating to even think how much time we waste thinking, knowing this will have absolutely zero returns. You can only LIVE in the present.
How do you live in the present? Focus on gratitude. The realization that I can afford a car and drive to my office while there are thousands of people who cannot, brings gratitude. And this helps me focus on my present.
What’s the outcome? Improvement of your mental wellness. When I practiced living in the present, I started finding happiness in the small things that improved my mental wellness.
Some powerful statements:
Do not dwell on the past. Do not dream of the future. Concentrate the mind on the present moment. ~Buddha
“There’s only one reason why you’re not experiencing bliss at this present moment, and it’s because you’re thinking or focusing on what you don’t have…. But, right now you have everything you need to be in bliss.” — Anthony de Mello
“Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going.” — Tennessee Williams
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