The importance of being present
Fabio Moioli
Executive Search Consultant and Director of the Board at Spencer Stuart; Forbes Technology Council Member; Faculty on AI at Harvard BR, SingularityU, PoliMi GSoM, UniMi; TEDx; ex Microsoft, Capgemini, McKinsey, Ericsson
"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." --Lao Tzu
More often than not, we tend to worry about what's to come, or dwell on something that's already happened. While it's crucial to care and consider your future, be careful not to let it hinder your present. Moments turn into memories. Enjoy the moment while you have it.
It usually takes a lifetime of piled up worries for a person to realize: Worrying isn't productive. Worry does not empty tomorrow of any sorrow which may arrive... it just empties today of its strength. Worrying won’t stop the bad stuff from happening, it just stops you from enjoying the present. Worrying is using your imagination to create something you don't want. In addition, instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create
Living in the past is equally unproductive. There are definitely benefits in being able to reflect on yourself and on your past. Paying attention to what you've been through and how that makes you feel matters. It takes a lot of emotional energy to grieve, process, and overcome. The past is a stepping stone, not a millstone.
It is difficult to live in and enjoy the moment when you are thinking about the past or worrying about the future. You cannot change your past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about your future. Learn from the past, plan for the future. The more you live in and enjoy the present moment, the happier you will be.
The balance of being able to take time to reflect, and to prioritize your future while spending the majority of your day in the present, is beyond valuable, it's life changing.
I wanted to share this after having read 5 Lessons Most People Learn Way Too Late in Life published by Alyssa Satara, as I found it extremely valuable... and it made me reflect.
Principal Heat Transfer Engineer at Bechtel India Private Limited
4 年Very true Fabio, Organising the mind to handle thought process is paramount, only then thoughts straying into past or present be controlled. Normally all humans due circumstances or intellectual capabilities face the challenge of straying and losing focus on present.