PEBBLE
Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.
-Will Rogers, shared by Dennis in Berea, OH (who found this on a coaster at Ted’s Montana Steakhouse in Denver, CO)
BOULDER
We should enjoy life;
we should not future ourselves so much.
We should now ourselves more.
-Mel Brooks, in conversation with Judd Apatow for The Atlantic
PONDER
It is, at times, important and useful to look backward towards yesterday. We may want to savor some memories, learn from our mistakes, or help us understand how we arrived at this particular moment in our lives. Too much of this, however, can get us trapped in regret, rumination, and/or grief about that which is behind us.
It is, at times, important and useful to look forward to tomorrow. We may want to plan out some things, or day dream about a bright future that would inspire us to focus our efforts. Too much of this, however, can get us stuck in anxiety, worry, and/or dread about what is lies ahead for us.
So I asked myself, what simple steps might help us “Now ourselves more”? Here’s what I came up with:
1. Set an intention.
Decide to spend a little more time in present moment awareness.
2. Create reminders.
Use “Here now” or some other reminder to pull back into the present; put a sign on your desk or bathroom mirror or refrigerator…or maybe create a reminder that pops up on your phone a few times a day.
3. Notice when you’re not present and forgive yourself immediately.
You’ll inevitably find yourself dipping back into the past or flashing forward into the future. It’s normal, and it’s okay. Waste as little time judging yourself, and as soon as you can just pivot back into a “Here, Now” mindset.
4. Catch yourself succeeding.
Occasionally catch yourself actually being really present in the moment. Pause long enough to smile and say, “Good job, Paul!” (this works better if you use your own name!)
5. Repeat as necessary.
This is a lifelong practice, not something you figure out once and then you’re there. Thinking of this as an ongoing experiment is a better path for learning How to Now.
What do you think? Are you in?
Peace,
Paul
P.S. A Rippler named Jason shared a 2-minute Alan Watts video that underscores this point nicely: “You can’t live at all unless you can live fully now.”
