Endeavor to live in the present moment, you will benefit colossally

“Many people want to learn more about how to live in the moment. Most of us have a tendency to?live in the past?or the future. How often do you find yourself thinking about what happened yesterday, or?what might happen tomorrow? How does this affect your life and well-being? Constantly thinking about the past and worrying about the future can make it difficult to enjoy the good things in your life now. Learning how to be more mindful and live in the moment can give you a greater appreciation for your life, also reducing feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety,” said Arlin Cuncic, MA in her May 13, 2024 article published on Very Well Mind.

?

This author of the book ‘The Anxiety Workbook’ and founder of the website ‘About Social Anxiety’, holding a Master's degree in clinical psychology further said “Show Acceptance. If you want to learn how to be more present, let go of how you think things should be and accept them for what they are. Focus on accepting things as they are and not on how you want them to be. You cannot control everything that happens around you; sometimes life is going to be different than how you want it to be.?Practicing acceptance?will help you let go of the things in your life that are out of your control.” In the meantime, this article isn’t going to focus on how to live in the present moment, as implied by the introduction, because we will deal with it in one of our next editions. We are instead going to indicate the profound link between inhabiting the present moment and health.

?

“Live only in the present. Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. Be grateful from the moment you wake up. I wake up before that, usually between 6:02 and 6:20. My first thought in the morning is, ‘Oh, I’m alive. Thank you!’”?Oprah Winfrey told Vogue which published an article featuring it on 5 January 2018. Winfrey was then addressing the secrets to success and happiness where she highlighted that living in the present moment forms one of those secrets.

?

Living in the present constitutes a philosophy which fosters concentrating your attention and awareness on the current moment, instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It encourages mindfulness and being fully engaged in whatever you are performing at any given time. It is actually beneficial to learn from the past and plan for the future. But, the idea of living in the present is designed to exhort you to fully recognize current experiences, reduce stress, and appreciate life as it unfolds moment after moment.

?

Oprah Daily is a digital media platform focusing on lifestyle content, including articles and advice about wellness, relationships, and personal growth. It conveys Winfrey's message of empowerment, inspiration, and personal development through various forms of content. In short, Oprah Daily is committed to assisting people to live the best lives.

In its April 23, 2023 article produced by Winfrey, the latter one says “I’ve been really impressed with those of you who are doing the best to take care of your health. Several years ago, I was at the Vana Spa in India—sensational Ayurvedic treatments there. And I was so impressed when one of the waiters said to me, ‘You know, we have a lot of people with money who come here but don’t understand the true meaning of wealth.’ He said, ‘Here, we understand that your health is your true wealth and the only path to a strong life.’”

?

“I was really knocked out by that statement. If you’ve ever been any kind of sick, you know how true that is. Your health is your wealth. It’s a guiding principle that serves us all, no matter your politics, your religion, your values—and you don’t want to have to wait to get sick to figure it out. What sets each of us apart is how seriously we take that statement, and how consistent we are in making our health a priority. Whether it’s eating well, getting exercise, seeing the doctor regularly, or staying up-to-date on your blood tests, maintaining your health is essential if you want to live the life you want.”

?

One of the most fruitful mechanisms to ensure that you enjoy the best life is to live in the present. If you are performing every endeavor for you to succeed in living in the present moment, it signifies that you actually care about your health. In other words, with such a habit, you already treat your health as your first priority. That we should not focus on the past and the future is underscored by a number of sources including the Holy Bible like in Luke 12: 22-26 which reads “22 Then He [Jesus Christ] said to His disciples,?“Therefore I say to you,?do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body?is more?than clothing.

?

24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and?God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do?the?least, why?are you anxious for the rest?”

Lao Tzu reportdely lived in 500 BCE. This Chinese philosopher and author also named Laozi or Lao-Tze is credited with establishing the philosophical system of Taoism. "If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live," once stated this man who is said to be one of the greatest of the pre-Confucian philosophers.

Meantime, Dob Sofield states "Now I can prepare for tomorrow and get myself ready, but worrying will not solve any problem I have coming my way. I love the quote from Dale Carnegie- Remember today is the tomorroy you worried about yesterday. I like the quote, worry is a total loss of time. It doesn't change anything. All worry does is steal joy from today and keep you very busy doing nothing."

"And the truth is, most of the things you're worried about now will not come true and most likely will never happen, so you're either setting yourself up for disappointment or failure or both, and that is a lousy way to live your amazing life or like Mary Hemingway said 'Worry a little bit every day and in a lifetime you will lose a couple of years. If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything "adds this keynote speaker, author, radio talk show host, podcaster and president of her own Executive Speech Coaching Co. which trains people for success in speaking, crisis communications, presentation skills, media and message development in the US and abroad.

Different successful personalities of course including Winfrey have applied this principle of living in the present. Athletes, business leaders, and content creators with outstanding success have employed it.

?

Athletes often avail themselves of living in the present techniques, to upgrade their performance by staying focused and calm during competitions. For example, basketball player Michael Jordan and tennis player Novak Djokovic have both talked about the benefits of remaining present in their games.

?

Executives and entrepreneurs, like late Steve Jobs- founder of Apple Inc., have underscored the mammoth importance of being fully engaged in the present moment to foster their creativity and produce effective decisions.

?

Artists, writers, and musicians exploit this sphere, to heighten their creative process. For example, composer John Cage and writer Jack Kerouac have tapped into it.

?

Various spiritual leaders advocate for living in the present moment as a path to inner peace and spiritual growth. Countless people from all walks of life have benefited from it in successfully handling stress, enhancing relationships, and finding greater enjoyment in daily activities.

?

Book Beat,?a digital subscription service for audiobooks and e-books, states “In the annals of history, there are individuals whose life stories inspire, uplift, and transform not only themselves but also the world around them. Oprah Winfrey is undeniably one such luminary—a living testament to the boundless potential of the human spirit. Her journey from the depths of poverty and adversity to the pinnacle of success and influence has captivated millions, making her a revered figure in the realms of media, entertainment, business, and philanthropy.

?

This is the extraordinary tale of how Oprah Winfrey rose from the shadows of hardship to illuminate the world as one of the most powerful and influential women of our time. The humble beginnings of the future media mogul were far from the glamorous world of television studios and red carpets that would later become synonymous with her name.”

?

As far as health is concerned, this quote counts greatly. It highlights the extent to which Winfrey's life story stands as an inspiration in the sector of health, demonstrating the power of resilience and personal transformation. Her journey underscores the colossal importance of mental and emotional well-being, showing how overcoming adversity results in tremendous personal growth. Oprah's advocacy for self-care, wellness, and mental health awareness engendered a significant impact; which encourages you to prioritize your health and well-being in spite of hardships which you are facing. Winfrey’s influence extends beyond her personal success, inspiring innumerable individuals to recognize their potential and pursue holistic health.

Winfrey travelled a remarkable journey from adversity to becoming a powerful influence, particularly in the field of health. Her story, highlighting resilience and self-care, represents an illustration of how overcoming hardships leads to a focus on holistic well-being. Oprah’s advocacy for mental and physical health has inspired a lot of people to prioritize their own health journeys, showing that personal transformation is possible despite extremely challenging circumstances.

?

In its 29 February 2024 article, Forbes says “The company shared this statement via email: ‘After nearly a decade of service as a member of Weight Watchers’ Board of Directors, Oprah Winfrey has decided to not stand for re-election in May. We are deeply grateful to Oprah for her dedication, unwavering support and invaluable partnership.

?

Her ability to inspire millions of people to put their health and wellness first will have a lasting impact on our members and brand. We’re enthusiastic about her continued advisement and collaboration with the company, including her role in our upcoming Weight Health event and her advocacy in addressing this critically important topic.’

?

Considering Winfrey’s historical background, you can’t really imagine that she would become a person being acclaimed in various fields, involving health, to this extent. She features among top 10 personalities in the world who have undergone extreme hardships but who eventually turned extremely successful, especially owing to not succumbing to their adversities.

?

Oprah whose full name is Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, in the United States of America.? She arrived on the Earth specifically in a world characterized by racial segregation and economic disparity. Her early years were marked by profound challenges. She was born in a family of extreme poverty. She was brought up by her teenage single mother- Vernita Lee, and her grandmother- Hattie Mae Lee.

?

Oprah’s story around her childhood as narrated by The Guardian is glutted with tragic difficulties which are beyond comprehension, especially compared to unusual resilience that she finally developed.

?

She was sent to live with her mother at six. Her mother served long hours as a cleaner. When she was nine, a cousin raped her.? Over the next few years she was sexually abused by other men. She went to live with her father in Nashville at 14, concealing that she was pregnant. She bore a son two months early. He died soon afterwards.

?

Yet her situation eventually changed. Living with her father and stepmother gave stability and high expectations. Her father expected good grades at school. Business Insider highlights that it is here that her success started. “Her dad?provided direction, discipline, and a sense of structure that Winfrey had never known,?according to the Academy of Achievement.?The stable and education-centered environment he created allowed her to thrive academically and socially?at East Nashville High School, where she became?an honor roll student and was voted the most popular girl in her class. It was at East Nashville High where she would discover her passion for media.”

?

The Guardian additionally says that aged 17, Winfrey won a beauty pageant sponsored by a local radio station. A person at the station, perhaps noticing her smooth and warm voice, requested her to read a news report on tape and she accomplished it so well that she was offered a part-time job. It is here that her unimaginable life transformation began.

?

Winfrey possesses huge wealth. Her net worth is estimated at approximately 3 billion US dollars.

In light of all these details, living in the present will support you countlessly since it will aid you in a myriad of ways from experiencing reduced stress, better relationship with others, jealousy avoidance, inner peace, and joy to mental clarity, better decision-making, increased productivity, success, and enduring satisfaction or contentment, just to mention very few ways. All this is profoundly linked with health.

?

By Jean Baptiste Ndabananiye- Media, Empowerment& MBA.

Management and Journalism Professional/Consultant with a demonstrated history/experience of involvement in women’s empowerment, project/program management, peace-building/conflict transformation, training, public awareness campaigns, governance and budget transparency, advocacy, documentation, the broadcast media industry, and community justice, among others.

?

He is skilled, among others, in English and French, Project& Program Management, Media Production, Peace-building, Leadership, Advocacy, and Kinyarwanda- English-French Translation, and Mind-Body Connection and its Link with Health through extensive reading and investigation about these two fields as well as Health Reporting and Communication. Strong management, media and communication professional with a Bachelor's and Master's focused in Journalism& Communication and MBA-Project Management respectively from University of Rwanda and Mount Kenya University.

?