As the year came to a close, I found myself sitting in my favourite corner with a cup of steaming hot coffee, mulling over the year gone by. I realised that what stood out for me were the moments – good, bad, ugly – and how I’d lived those moments. It is what life is really about – a series of moments and how you live them. It is what defines you. And while you have no control over ‘what’ happens to you, you do have a choice in “how” to react to it.
You can choose to live in the present moment or be attached to the past, or let thoughts of the future distract you. In the words of Buddha, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” So, treat each day as a fresh start and live life every day. It is when you count each separate day as a separate life that you live the moments. And the way to do that is by being present in the moment.
“Being present” means paying attention to what’s going on, internally or externally, without attempting to change anything. “Everyone agrees it’s important to live in the moment, but the problem is how,” writes Ellen Langer, a psychologist and author of ‘Mindfulness”. “When people are not in the moment, they’re not there to know that they’re not there.” It takes practice and being intentional to override distractions and create awareness to the present.
So, I decided that my endeavour in 2023 is going to be to live life every day. There are some simple tips to become more aware and present in your everyday life. They are accompanied by the brilliant images captured by the hugely talented photographer Amdy to convey the feeling of being present in the moment. One image that’s not here but comes to mind is that of a cartoon of two monks sitting side by side, meditating. The younger monk looks at the older one with a quizzical look. The older monk responds, “Nothing happens next. This is it.” So, right now, as you are reading this, you’re living in the moment. Nothing happens next. This is it.
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Photo Credit: Amdy
Love the pics and the write up.
Thank you so much Himani. Means a lot coming from you, I see a story in the beautiful sunrises you capture. Thanks so much again.
Talented photographist!!
Great pictures with beautiful captions.. 🙂
Thank you so much Tanwar. Hope the images brought the mountains closer to you and the captions walked you through them.
Beautiful!!
Thanks so much for dropping a comment Richa 🙂
Beautiful write up👌 and lovely pictures 📸
Thanks a lot for the kind feedback Reena 🙂
Thanks so much Amol. Hope the captions walked you through the year.
So true….in the moment
Absolutely…if not now, then when… thank you Mona 🙂
What a lovely reminder to live in the present. The pictures have done absolute justice to beauty of stillness.
Thanks a lot Abhi…I remember the mindfulness exercise you took me through once…it makes so much sense 🙂
Rashmi loved the way you have used these ammazing pictures of Amdy to share your reflection and thoughts.
Thanks so much Seema…I’ve never forgotten the exercise you took me through to show intention…you are a huge inspiration 💕
Fab photos to complement the fab thinking
Thanks so much Dipali…let’s make our catch up happen 🙂
Whew!! What mind- boggling clicks!! Each picture, like the rising sun exudes warmth and positivity (be it the snow-clad fir trees, the golden sun-kissed swaying crop, the thin streaks of clouds in the azure sky, the purrrfect, ‘confusing’ reflection picture, the lone tree standing proud and straight against the golden light, the misty spray of the dynamic waves)…one could just go on…just so much more…sigh!!!
Kudos to an ace, world class photographer…AMDY.
And yes, such simple and doable tips Rashmi, with constant practice, it is possible to remain in the present. The mind is like an obstinate mule to be brought back on track with persistent mindfulness and practice !!
Thank you so much Mrs Sachar for such beautiful words…love your description of the photos…it’s sheer poetry 💕 So true about the mind being like an obstinate mule that needs constant reminders to be mindful.
Rashmi thank you for yet anothet beautiful and profound write up .
Living for the moment will be the most appropriate way to celebrate 2023 after what we have gone through the past three years .
Thank you so much for your lovely words always Mrs Deva…you are a huge inspiration…so love your zest for life ❤️
An interesting piece … gives one some new angles to contemplate…. Easy 2 minute read … super enjoyed this one Rashmi … keep them coming
Thanks a ton Kajal…love that it resonated with you…I guess an artist would know mindfulness best 🙂
Love the pictures..! Serene..! And the captions are how they should be, short and bang-on..!!
Thanks a ton Neha…love that it resonated with you 🙂
Rashmi, as always I enjoy your writing so much. Interesting and captivating as always. Just as I was about to ask you – ” but how” you very succinctly gave the spot on points. Thanks for sharing this with me.
Thanks so much for the motivation always Mrs Sidhu…love that it resonated with you 💕
Exactly what I strongly believe in . Your reaction to situations decide the outcome. Good bad or ugly it’s mostly your own making. Rashmi your thoughts are crystal clear and very profound . And how effectively you pen them down is what makes you a lady with the golden pen.
There are only 2 days in a year that one should less worry about . Yesterday & tomorrow! Your focus needs to be today that is real and true. Live in the present moment and you will find love, happiness, joy & peace.
Tanks for sharing a beautiful piece again and I ❤️ it.
Thank you so much for the wonderful words Maj Datta…love how you get to the essence of the writing always… really admire your zest for life and the positivity you emanate.
Articulate and refreshing as always. This article reminded me to enjoy the moment and be grateful what is there.
Keep giving us lessons for life Ma’am.
Thanks so much Amol…glad that it resonated with you. As for me, I’m just learning myself 🙂
Pics are mesmerizing and captions so well written. Enjoyed going through the write up by you. “Live in the present “…If only we could follow that it would be a beautiful world, not easy to do so though. You express your feelings so well. Keep it going and we enjoy reading them.
Thank you for writing in Aunty and for the encouragement always <3 The toughest part, I've come to realise, is to keep things simple - and that is what 'being in the moment' comes down to. To just be with what is in front of you is the attempt - agree that it isn't easy but the attempt continues :))
The pictures are mesmerizing and so beautifully captioned. Your write up was a treat to read, you always write great stuff, enjoyed it. It is not as easy as you make it out to be… If people learn to live in the present what a beautiful world it would be.