Living in the Here and Now
By Kimberly Hall
Living in the Here and Now
I’m always excited about the start of a new year. It’s a time to reflect on what I’ve accomplished, the valuable lessons I’ve learned, and how I can live life with intention in the year to come. This year, I set an intention to live in the here and now.
As I look back on the first month of 2020, I’m encouraged by my progress. It’s true that I’ve had many days where my thoughts have gotten the best of me—but I can honestly say that I’ve had more days of consciously appreciating life’s moments and managing my energy than I’ve ever had before.
Here are three things I did last month (and will continue this month!) that helped me to live in the moment.
Embrace the Day
I’m learning more and more to embrace the day. I’ve often struggled with thinking ahead too much or placing huge expectations on myself. When I do this, it creates anxiety and worry over the unknown. Instead, I want to embrace the day I’ve been given and use the tools I already have. Here’s how I do it: I begin the day by praying and reading my daily devotionals. Spending fifteen minutes writing in my journal and reading my devotions gives me the strength I need to tackle my day. When I have those moments of anxiety or of thinking too far ahead, I take a deep breath and refocus on the task at hand, which helps me to recharge and start again.
One of my favorite scriptures that I go to is Philippians 4:6–7. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (NKJV).
Moving Meditation
When you were a kid, did you ever receive a folded-up piece of paper with the question, “Do you like me?” and two checkboxes for the answers “yes” or “no?” Well, when it comes to running, most days I check “yes.” Running is truly my moving meditation . . . although, this year my approach to running has been a little different than it has in the past. In January, I started a new thing. At least once a week, I run without my watch and without my music. I use those days to listen to my breathing, feel my feet striking the ground, and truly take in my surroundings. There’s something wonderful about the air hitting my face and just being. I don’t worry about my pace or what I have to do that day—it’s just me being in my zone. It feels so freaking good.
Actively Pay Attention
As easy as it may sound, I struggle to pay attention at times. Knowing my weakness, I now make a conscious effort to listen. I currently employ one of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: “Seek first to understand, and then to be understood.” In other words, I listen and observe more than I talk. I try to limit my distractions. I try not to multi-task when I’m working, and I try not to formulate what I will say next while someone is talking. Whatever I do, I try to be fully engaged in my thinking. That doesn’t mean my mind is absent of thoughts; it means I try not to go off in left field during those moments.
This is truly a learning process, and each day is a new day. I make a decision every day to let go of the past, live in the moment, and be optimistic for the future. No day is perfect, but I’m grateful for the strength and fortitude to live life purposefully here and now. Living in the Here and Now