Being present in your life means different things to each person.   What “being present” to you means, certainly may differ than what it means  to your mate.  For example, when you eat your morning breakfast,  you may like to sit quietly and reflect on your dreams you had the night before.  However, your mate may like to sit and read the paper while awaking with a cup of coffee.  Another person may like to chat with their mate about their plans for the day.  For those with young children, being present might be trying to connect with their children during the bustle of the morning while getting everyone off to school in a timely way.

What your definition of being present is really does not matter, similar to what your beacons are do not really matter.  It is not about the content of the beacon, nor the definition you place on “being present,” but rather, the fact that you have defined those things at all.   We have discussed beacons many times in the past and talk about if you do not have beacons placed in your life you may wonder aimlessly through your lifetime.  Similar to someone lost in the woods who walks in circles only to end up back where s/he started.

Planting a beacon in the distance provides the destination that allows for you to continue to adjust your course as the wind blows you in different directions.     Having a definition for “being present” is similar to planting a beacon.   As a matter of fact, the two are quite similar and the beacon could be your various definitions of being present.

For example, when someone says to you, “be in the current moment,”  what does that mean?  It is a good reminder for everyone to remember, especially during turbulent events.  However, what does it really mean?

To the person saying it they might be thinking about taking in all of the event, such as a wedding, so that you capture “mental snapshots” of the day.  To others, it might be concentrating on their own breathing so that they can enter a sort of meditative state to heighten their senses.  What does it mean to you?

Being in the current moment may mean different things to you at different times in your day or may and most likely will change as you pass through this lifetime.  The current moment is nothing more than the breath that is currently in your body.   When you release that breath and take in a new breath you are at a different moment.   Now, keep in mind there are moments and clusters of moments and clusters of clusters of moments throughout your life.   A “moment” may be a year in college for a young adult.   A “moment” may be twenty years working at a company for a retiree.   But the smallest moment can be broken down to a single breath.

When you realize that you are not celebrating this moment of your life, you can focus on the breath inside of your body.   When you release it, and take in another breath you can set an intention for what you want for that short moment, until that breath is released.  Set your intention for each breath and for the larger “moment cluster” such as this day.

When you take in a breath, before you release it set your intention for what you want in the next few breaths.   Than keep setting intentions for longer and longer periods of time.   When you realize you are not being present, take a deep breath and go back to your definition of being present.

<P> Can you give us some examples of definitions for being present that we might use as a starting point in developing our own definitions?

One definition for being present has to do with activating all of your senses.  The definition might be,

“When I am present I can see everything in my field of view to include things that usually are invisible to me.   I can hear sounds that I  was not hearing.   I can feel the energy of those around me, such that, I can connect with them at a deeper spiritual level.  I can taste everything that I put in my mouth, and I can feel every sensation on my body.  I expect nothing, and accept everything.”

That could be several definitions rolled into one but it illustrates how you can focus on one or more of your senses to “be in the moment.”  Another definition might be,

“When I am present I can feel the energies of the non-physical plane, and I can touch my inner self and hear the words I need to hear at this moment.  I feel a sense of gratitude and love for every living creature around me and for those far away.  I feel that everything is in the perfect order in my life and in the world.  We are all where we should be at this very moment.”

Once again, that is a rather long definition, a simplified one might be,

“When I am celebrating this moment I have energy, excitement and enthusiasm for this day.  I see, hear, feel and taste everything that I sometimes ignore.”

What we recommend is that you write down a few definitions of your own, or modify these to your liking.   You might place  a paper in your pocket so that you can read it when you feel yourself letting those moments “slip away.”

The key to being “present” is to rid yourself of the “automatic pilot” mode that we all slip into.  Think about the last meal that you ate.   Did you taste every bite?  Do you remember what you ate?  Do you remember the taste of the food?  How many times do you drive somewhere and get on the road to your daily commute when you slip into “auto pilot” and miss your turn?  Those are examples of moments that you are missing in your life.  Do not worry, though, because you have this moment to enjoy.  If you miss it, simply celebrate the next one.

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Moments in your life are not to be taken for granted.  For one day, just as you take your last breath, you will celebrate your last moment of this lifetime.

Written 12/4/13