The Gift of Being Present
- Rebecca Kolenda
- Mar 13
- 5 min read
“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present.” — Alice Morse Earle
Why is being present such a difficult thing to do? Why don’t we prioritize it as much as we think about the past or plan for the future? We were made for this moment; this present time is worth living for.
Dwelling on the Past
"The past can hurt, but the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it." — Rafiki, The Lion King
I've reflected on my past quite a bit as I've processed trauma and healed from old heartaches. Our pasts are important because they shape who we've become in the present day. But we cannot let ourselves get stuck there, always dwelling on what happened “back then,” regretting our choices or the circumstances that occurred, wishing the pain of our hardships away.
The past influences us, but it does not define us.
Acknowledging the repercussions of the past points us toward the present moment. It's a mirror to see how we've adapted, what we've learned, and how we've grown. The past isn't meant to be something we're constantly remembering or running away from. Our pasts help us evolve. They help us appreciate the present time. Reflecting on the past challenges us to keep adapting, learning, and growing. It holds special significance in our lives, but it isn't our moment. The present is where we live as our true selves because that's where we are, right now, in this moment.
Obsessing over the Future
"Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one.” — Doc Brown, Back to the Future
I love making lists, being productive, and achieving goals, but I HATE future planning. My husband is a dreamer, a doer, and anytime he wants to plan beyond several months, I cringe. Anxiety traps in my breath, and my mind swirls. While my husband prefers having goals to look forward to and work toward, I simply like goals that are attainable in the present moment. Thinking about the future excites him but terrifies me.
I’m prone to anxiety. When life is stressful or I don’t feel in control, I get overwhelmed. Worry can be my best sidekick sometimes. When it comes to the outcome of my future, I have to let all that go because I’m not in control. Whatever happens today may affect tomorrow, and that’s okay! If I truly believe in the Lord’s goodness and protection, I don’t need to be concerned with the future. I can live in this moment today and be at peace. Yes, I can make smart decisions that may influence my future, but I can also stop worrying because that doesn’t help anything. I can cherish the moment I’m in and entrust the rest to God.
Oftentimes, future planning is done out of hope, ambition, and excitement. But when we get so caught up in every moment building toward our future, we miss the significance of this present time. We should look forward to things in the future! But we can’t let that cloud our vision of the importance of this moment right now.
I can’t see into my future. All I can do is make choices that may impact my life later. I don’t expect my present-day reactions to be the end-all-be-all of my destiny. We cannot control the future, so why obsess over it? Yes, let’s plan and dream, but don’t get so caught up in what might be that you lose sight of what already is. Learn to live and build the life you want—right here, right now!
Living in the Present
“Wherever you are — be all there.” — Jim Elliot
A peace washes over me when I think about being present. A reassurance that it’s okay to release the past and forget about the future—at least for a moment.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
This is your moment; don't miss it.
For me, being present means having a clear mind. Observing the little things and focusing on what's in front of me, not rushing to get to the next "thing" or letting my mind wander and think about something else. Being present means being fully in the moment.
When I let myself relax and be present, I find the courage to keep moving forward. My day, my life, my career, my "fill-in-the-blank" may not be where or what I want it to be, but that's okay. Life's circumstances may not be our choice, but our thoughts are. We can decide how we feel and what we think. Part of Romans 12:2 says, "...be transformed by the renewing of your mind." To be fully present, we must control our thoughts. Life may be pure chaos, important things may be looming overhead, but we must take a moment to breathe and simply be. Choose to be here, present, in whatever moment this is for you.
Seasons change, time goes on, moments end.
Don't let them pass you by.
Grateful Living
Being present has also given me the gift of gratitude. When I'm mindful of the present, I notice details more, am more appreciative of simple moments, and realize little blessings sprinkled throughout my day. It isn't always easy, but seeing the good in life does help me choose to be present.
During a hard season a few years ago, I practiced writing three things I was grateful for every morning. They had to be specific and different from yesterday's list. Even though I was run down, depressed, and feeling hopeless, I could find the good by being thankful for simple things, like my job, my husband, sunshine, time with friends, a smile from a student, or having a weekend free of responsibilities. Being grateful didn't change my circumstances, but it did refocus my thoughts and renew my attitude. Especially when our present moments are challenging, we need to remember the significance of gratitude. We all have something to live for that can motivate us to keep going while honoring where we are at right now.
We think life is all about the big stuff, but really, everyday moments are what define our present. And that’s what we’re living for. The past influences us, and we make strides toward a bright future, but the present is the moment we have right here, right now. Let’s never take for granted how precious that is.
Whether you're weathering a torrential storm or strolling through a beautiful season, practice being present. This moment will never be here again.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Smile.
The present is a gift; unwrap it and embrace it.
“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” — Maya Angelou
