The Time is Now... Here's What to Do...

"As you walk and eat and travel, be where you are.  Otherwise you will miss most of your life." ~ Buddha

As many of you know, I asked for you to send in suggestions on how to give mindful attention to the present moment or how to "be here now."  I would then select two "finalists" who would win The Now Watch for their efforts. I received many thought-provoking email submissions!  Thank-you!  Before I share the thoughts of the two "finalists," I would like to share some suggestions on mindful attention to the present moment...

"Slow down and the thing you are chasing will come around and catch you." ~ Zen saying

Meditation is probably the most universally accepted means of bringing attention to the present moment.  What is meditation?  I will not pretend I know the best answer to that but, in general, meditation has been referred to as the cultivation of the mind, mindfulness, awareness, concentration by point of focus, attentiveness to the present moment, or even prayer. 

Much meditative habits have promoted the use of focused breathing.  When I lay down to sleep at night or attemp to relax during the day, I will first "turn off" the outside world so that everything is as quiet as possible.  I then focus on my breathing by focusing attention on the rise and fall of my chest, the beat of my heart, and each individual breath in and out for at least five minutes.  This can be done in your car, before an important meeting or event, during the last moments of the day, or any time that you have the opportunity.  I can say personally that meditation works wonders and studies have revealed that meditation may attribute to growth of the brain...

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate trouble, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." ~ Buddha

I believe most would agree that our thoughts are occupied by either the past, present,  or future, or some combination thereof.  For a financial reference, recent stock market drama and the surrounding media noise has investor emotions swirling   with  emotion for concerns that the worst of the past will be repeated and that tomorrow will be worse than today. To remedy this we may give less energy to past events, minimize concerns over the future and, then by default, we allocate more energy and attention to the present. 

Turn off the radio, turn off the TV, stop reading disturbing news stories, notice people in their daily routines, look into your child's eyes, watch the wind blow in the trees, stare at a blade of grass, or just find anything that reminds you that you are alive now -- not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today...

Now for some thoughts from our finalists, who both will receive The Now Watch for their efforts!

Living NOW has been a struggle for me.  I too often fall into the trap called "anticipation."  There develops an urgency to understand the future today, so that I can develop a plan of action... heaven forbid I should be unprepared!  And yet, I have, more times than not, made an error in judgment by rushing to resolve an issue that had yet to fully materialize.  'Haste makes waste.'

I have found that if I can focus on my breathing, I am able to connect with the moment... it's as if by listening to my body actually going through the living process, I become aware of me -- and not all the 'stuff' going on around me.  It's most calming and comforting to celebrate my existence in such a simple fashion.  Our body is a wondrous thing.  By becoming regularly conscious of its presence, its value, and significance, I find the path to gentleness and mindfulness - not just towards myself, but to others...

Isn't it interesting that the word, 'Now,' reversed is 'Won?'  Gives one pause for thought. ~ Martha

Wow!  Martha's words definitely gave me "pause for thought!"  Here's another thought I'll add for more pause:  The letters in the word, "now," can also be used to form the word, "own..."

The second finalist entry comes from Peter.  He shared his "10 Governing Values" that give him "perspective," guide his day-to-day life, and help him lead an "intentional life:"

1. Carpe Diem
2. Individuality & Integrity
3. Knowledge is Power
4. Love my family & friends
5. I am financially independent
6. Less is More: eliminate - consolidate - automate
7. I am constantly active & physically fit
8. I am one with the Lord
9. Desiderata: peace - silence - reflection
10. Excellence in my career/work - find something you love doing and do it well...

I agree, Peter, and thanks again to Martha and all of the other entrants!  I was impressed by all the "words of wisdom."  Thanks for reading and contributing...

To close the post, I would like to share a few thoughts from The Now Watch Founder, Adam Rothenhaus:

The Now Watch mission is to bring more presence to people's lives.  It's a simple goal but, in a world where we are so busy and caught up trying to get things done, we rarely pause and take a moment to just be where we are right here and now.  However, when we do appreciate the moment, we often feel a relaxing sensation, followed by an ability to focus and actually get more done in less time...

When we check our Now Watches, we'll find out the time of day, as usual, but will also be reminded that it is the present moment...

...And that is why I wanted to share the watches with the readers!  Thus far, I've found that, seeing the word, "Now," reminds me to take a few breaths and just "be here."  Thanks to Adam for supporting the idea and to all the readers for sharing your thoughts...

How about more comments?  What are some simple things you do that bring you back to the present moment?  I'd love to hear from you...

TFPAuthor, Kent N. Thune, QPFC, is the President and founder of Atlantic Capital Investments, LLC (ACI), a 'fee-only' financial planner and Registered Investment Advisory firm located in Mount Pleasant, SC

Comments

[Oz]

Great thoughts on what it means to live in the present moment. I'm not sure what practices to add beyond meditation, although I believe any simply, focused activity such as knitting or attentive walking has similar effects.

Meditation and Buddhism have been a wonderful way of bringing myself back to the present. By attending to my breath, listening to my body, feeling every heart beat, and accepting thoughts that come in and out, I am brought back to living. But rather than think or talk about living, I am in the living moment.

[The Financial Philosopher]

Oz:

Great comments! In general, meditation can be anything that occupies our mind without distorting our thoughts. In other words, those external influences I call "noise" will be turned down significantly or completely removed if our "meditation" is successful...

Music does that for me but I have to be careful: Listening to "old" music can take me to the past, which is ok, but not if I want to purify my mind and stay in the present... Classical, Jazz or "new" music of any genre works well...

[Iqbal Latif]

Extremely inspiring..your comments provoked me to write on the way markets have been affecting me and how I have been dealing with the pressures..

>

Think-TOUGH TIMES BREED TOUGH MEN.( A reflection on post markets event)

You can change your life if you control your mind, and exactly know what you want!!

Mystery shrouds the art of living, it is all about unlocking the lock of our mind

A family of 5 who are involved in CDO's, CMBS, ABS and real estate debt, these months have been extreme test of wits, one after the other the icon have fallen, the most terrible day was as BSC got under and Lehman was under threat of liquidation by the hedge funds, just a day before GS and LEH reaffirmed earnings. Surviving is an art and as this storm reduces its intensity to uproot, I would like to share with everyone a condensed version of how we braved it...

The toughest moments were when friends helped us out in the evenings with review of the day, drinking, eating and relaxing.

In nastiest of times like we had in the markets for last one month one thing helped me the most to survive, optimism over pessimism, destruction cannot be perpetual it is on construction and progress that human culture is based, as storms most likely has passed over, we begin a new era with new hope and new enthusiasm, but I learned few lesson that I will like to share. Complex markets can be dealt with more effectively if one keeps the focus right. Some simple unorthodox steps I follow to maintain semblance in my life..

1. Live within your capacity and try to seize the day

2. Maintain individuality & integrity

3. Nothing beats 'Knowledge without prejudice' it is the real Power

4. Love people around you, extend it and live with them

5. Avoid confrontation you cannot afford, just don't take them on

6. Never over leverage, the best of ideas shall fail (Murphy’s Law)

7. Live within yourself and get the best out of you

8. Never let others define your morality, seek nirvana through love

9 Have a long view, never live with a short view

10. Excellence in whatever you do- give it your best shot

11. Say what you mean and mean what you say

12. If it is too good to be true it is probably false

13. Nurture your ambition to stretch limits of your capacity

14. Dreams are great but never let dreams take over

15. Realism is what life is all about be a realist

16. Unbridled ambition is recipe of self destruction, avoid it

17. Savor little things in your life, look forward to them

18. Share your happiness with those around you

19. Take responsibility of your actions

20. Don’t believe in conspiracies

21. Low esteem destroys people so does false pride

http://iqballatif.newsvine.com/_news/2008/03/20/1379022-think-tough-times-breed-tough-men-a-reflection-on-post-markets-event-

[Strasser]

Recently I discovered your site. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

Besides Yoga, that which brings me to the moment is our garden. Whether on hands and knees, weeding, cutting back the dried seed heads which have fed the birds throughout the winter, adding a new plant to the flower beds or merely walking and observing, we truly experience life in its finest form. The warming moist soil yields an emergence of fresh green; petals of the Magnolia stellata now begin to unfold and with it brings forth a fragrance that fills the space around us; two turkeys comment to one another as they walk up and down the fence line, one on the outside, and the other in, until she finally relents and joins him; the earthworm aerates the soil adjacent to the snow pea seeds being planted; hummingbirds hasten return with velocity; and for a moment I take a breath and close my eyes as the sun appears and it warms my face.

[The Financial Philosopher]

Strasser:

Yes! If we can simply sit still and notice our surroundings, life suddenly emerges...

Thank-you for the colorful and thought-provoking comments and for "discovering" this blog...