Are you living in the now? In other words, are you living in the present moment? We decided to live more in the now and enjoy some simple things. For example, this week we did something we haven’t done for a long time. We went to a movie! Also, today we chose to eat lunch outside and enjoy the beautiful day.

Instead of doing things in the moment, it’s easy to put them off to some uncertain future and this can rob us of many things that we can enjoy and accomplish. To make a positive impact in the lives of those around us, it helps to make the most of the time and opportunities we are afforded every day. If you have a dream to build something meaningful, don’t wait until you feel ready because that might never happen. Albert Einstein put it this way, “The secret of health for mind and body is not to mourn the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.”

It’s easy to procrastinate when we think we have lots of time on our hands. When we’re younger, the future seems so distant. It’s easy to make resolutions for exercise and healthy living, and not follow through. We may believe there’s always time next year or the year after that. Then we could wake up one day, without having achieved our goals, and with a litany of regrets about what we could have done or who we could have become. So, how can we make the most of our lives now, so we can live a life without regrets? Here’s some ideas.

Treat every day like a gift.

Tomorrow is not a guarantee, but you can be thankful for today. Pursue your dreams with passion. When you do so, you’ll make each moment count. Take advantage of the energy you have in the moment. It will impact your future and possibly the future of generations to come.

Embrace every opportunity.

When a great opportunity comes your way, grab it quickly and with both hands. It may not come your way again. Ask older people around you and they’ll tell you that one of their biggest regrets is letting life-changing opportunities slip through their fingers. You never know what impact such opportunities will have on you and those to come after you if only you are brave enough to embrace them.

Be fully present.

Sometimes, the reason why our relationships fail is that we don’t give our full attention to the people around us. With so many distractions, we fail to be fully present in the moment. Another regret of many people is not keeping in touch with family and friends. Life is more than what we have ‘accomplished’. In the end, no one says, “I wish I’d spent more time at work.”

Take away the distractions so you can fill each day with what you truly desire. Take time to listen to others and be there for them. Cherish the opportunity to be around them and learn from them.

Plan for the future, while living in the present.

Making the most of the present moments doesn’t mean you discard your dreams for the future. You can still plan your way into tomorrow and map out your long-term goals while enjoying your present. It would be reckless to choose to ignore your responsibilities in the name of living for today. If you have an exam coming up, study for it diligently while taking moments to appreciate your friends and family and the many blessings around you. When you have an important meeting or job interview, prepare for it. The trick is finding a balance between planning for your future and fully enjoying your present.

What about you? Are you living in the now? Take advantage of the opportunities that you come across. But don’t forget to cultivate the key relationships in your life. Each day that you wake up is like a second chance to promote happiness and peace in life.  You get to fill each day with love, gratitude, and kindness.

The Dalai Lama obviously agrees, he said, “There are only two days a year that nothing can be done. One is yesterday and the other is tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly live.” Choose to make the most of your now. As you do so, you’ll make a positive impact on others, and you’ll have an even more fulfilled life. And hopefully, you’ll have no regrets.

Chanhassen MN residents, Doug and Lynn Nodland are success coaches and owners of The Balance Center in Excelsior. Contact them at WeCare@TheBalanceCenter.com

© Doug and Lynn Nodland 2023 Articles and videos may be shared in their entirety with attribution.