LIVING IN THE MOMENT
I am sure you have discovered, as I have these past years, that having a fulfilling profession, a joyful marriage, doing daily exercises, and staying away from diet no-no’s can all be difficult. I have also discovered that everyone would be doing these things with ease if they were indeed easy. Yet the real question is what makes these things so challenging for us?
Harvard researchers conducted an extensive study on Living in the Moment. The results showed 50% of those taking the study did not live in the present moment.
Years ago at the NBC Camps extensive life-changing basketball and emotional-intelligence skills training, we coined the following expression as a way to teach our students to master the skill of living in the moment with this technique:
Anytime, anywhere, all the time, our staff asks the crucial question: “Where are you?”
The answer is straight forward, easy to understand and not difficult to say: “Right here right now.”
When we master the right-here-right-now skill, Living in the Moment becomes a potential reality. Behavior change begins with an idea, a thought; ideas and thoughts become our words; words become our actions; actions become our habits, and our habits become our world.
“Where are you?” Say it with conviction, say it often. The fact is when we live in the past, depression becomes our enemy. When we live in the tomorrows, anxiety knocks at the door. When we live in the Right Here Right Now, we have better control over our words. We have the freedom to speak life-giving words, instead of choosing to speak “killer words.” Words set in the enjoyment of the here and now can bring joy, life, light, and encouragement. Our words can be like sunshine on a pleasant day; or they can break in from past defeats like cloudy, cold days and rain on our parade.
In 1978 on a dreary Alabama morning, I spoke with a wise 88-year-old professor: “Doctor, I have watched you walk by our offices for well over a year. Please give me the best piece of advice you can give.” Without hesitation, the wise professor was living Right Here Right Now. He replied: “You make your own weather.”
Today, here is the fourfold Crowell challenge:
- Share the Right Here Right Now concept with some trusted others.
- Ask them, “Where are you?” Inspire them to say, “Right Here Right Now.”
- Practice living in the moment; one way is to name gratitudes.
- Choose to listen to others with a Right Here Right Now mindset.
This may be difficult, but it is certainly rewarding.
