Tip: What if we lived in the present?

My mom used to have this light blue magnet prominently displayed on our refrigerator. I often thought she put it there because that’s where we’d see it the most. On the magnet, printed in tiny white letters, is one word. It’s a simple word, actually.

Focus.

Now, truth be told, I did laugh a time or two at just how much power this little magnet seemed to hold for my mom. But looking back now, maybe there’s some truth behind it. Are we as focused on the present as we could be? And what’s more, what’s stopping us from, well, just stopping? Even if only for a little while.

I know what you’re thinking because I’ve thought it too: We humans are busy people. We have a lot of things to juggle, like family, work, school, some semblance of a social life. It can be a lot. In fact, we show no signs of slowing down — if the past is any indication, the future will be a whirlwind world of speed, speed, speed. But what if we lived in the present? Sure, it might take some training on our parts to re (focus!) our brains, but something tells me that it would be worth it in the long run.

I admit, this is something I still struggle with, but I’m really trying to live in the moment lately. Now yesterday, not tomorrow — and especially not five years from now. So maybe my mom’s little magnet made a pretty big difference after all.

So, tell me, friends, what are YOU doing to live in the here and now? Have you noticed a positive change in your life from it? What sorts of things do you worry about when you start looking ahead? How do you pull yourself back to the present? I’d love to hear your tips! xoxo

[Photos via We Heart It]