Be more mindful – 5 quotes to remind you to live in the present moment

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about the future? Feeling worried or anxious about events that haven’t even happened yet or that you cannot control? Or perhaps thinking about a past situation you wish you could change?

We all do it.

The problem with doing this is that thoughts about the past and the future take up a lot of energy and head space. And they stop us from being present. So today’s post is all about why we should try and be more mindful and pay attention to the present moment.

1. Do not dwell on the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment

Being in the present moment is what mindfulness is all about. Start to pay more attention to the present moment, and you will find it easier to cope with your everyday life. It’ll make you more present and focused, more resilient and better able to respond to situations, rather than reacting to them.

2. The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.

This includes your children, your partner, your friends, your parents – anyone around you that you care abou. Paying close, mindful attention to the people around you help you develop deeper relationships and feeling more in tune with their needs and feelings. Have you ever found yourself answering ‘yes’ to a question your children asked you, knowing you were only absentmindedly ‘listening’ to them while really focusing on something else?

3. Never let the things that you want make you forget the things that you have

Here is a good reminder about gratitude as well. Sometimes we can be so focused on the future and the things that we need to do and achieve, that we forget to acknowledge what we have right here, right now in front of us.

If you have children, you’ll notice this. Somehow, they’re growing up right in front of you, and you can’t quite understand where the time goes.

Enjoy the small things.

Enjoy how they are now.

Try and remind yourself of this on the harder days – yes, they’ll be more independent and out of this challenging phase that’s driving you insane, but look at the them now. Today. And enjoy them.

And if you’re a mum, I can’t recommend the book Mindfulness for Mothers enough!

4. Take life day by day, and be grateful for the little things. Don’t stress over what you cannot control

We all do this. Some people tend to worry more than others, but worrying and stressing over the future, only rob you from what you have in front of you right now. Overthinking about future events you have no control over will only have negative effects on your health – mental AND physical – and stop you from being in tune with yourself and present for the people around you. If you can’t change it, accept it and let it go.

5. Close your eyes. Take a breath. Enjoy this moment

So wherever you are, whatever you’re doing (except if you’re driving a car or a plane, please!), try this. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths.

Breathe in.

Hold.

Breath out.

And repeat.

Focus on where you are and whatever you are experiencing right now. Observe your thoughts and let them go. Observe how your body feels. Notice what you can hear, smell or taste.

This is now. You’re here now.

Aren’t you feeling happier and calmer already?

Do you have any quotes to share that remind you to be more in the present?