At the end of the day, are you ever shocked that it’s nighttime already? Do you ever wonder how the hours slipped by so quickly, or if you really accomplished anything? This is normal, but not ideal. Instead of zipping from one thought or activity to another at supersonic speed, it’s nice to fully “land” for a few moments, let your engine cool down, and absorb what is going right now. Unfortunately, this is not the norm.
If you are anything like me, you are aware that your brain doesn’t like to be still. It’s a roamer, from past to future to possible, seeking anywhere but here and now. Being present is tricky. You can’t force it, and it doesn’t “just” happen. It’s a mindset.
Being mindful requires both effort and relaxation. As you read this piece, pay attention to how many times your brain interrupts, distracts you, pulls you from one thing to another. The same thing is happening to me as I write this. My belly is full, but (sigh) my mind just flashed on the fresh blueberry bread in my kitchen.
You probably agree that the brain is like a fidgety child, wiggling, restive and wanton. You can offset these impulses by occasionally stopping and taking a slow, deep, conscious nasal breath. This helps you build the habit of focusing rather than multitasking. You could even try doing absolutely nothing for a few moments. Some people call that meditation; for others it might require medication. Humor aside, presence of mind is valuable skill.
Here are practices for building a “be here now” mindset. You may not like them at first.
•Sit. Be still. Look around. Study your surroundings, even if familiar. Take in what you see, hear and feel.
•Give yourself at least two, 2-minute breathing breaks every day, or more as needed. There are apps for this; I love mine.
•Wherever you are, pay more attention to what’s around you—sights, sounds, reactions.
•Pay particular attention to the moments you feel grateful and hold onto them.
Learn to absorb your “now” mentally, physically and emotionally. Rather than focusing on the near or far future or the past, create the mindset of being more tuned in, more conscious and more in control of your now. That kind of presence is the best present you can give yourself.
© 2025. Leslie Charles, Speaker, Author, Funeral-life Celebrant. leslie@lesliecharles.com