How Much Of Life Are You Actually Living?
Glen / 
134 Comments / 
June 24th, 2009 / 
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Earlier today I took some time out from my usual tasks and started work on organising my finances. I’m moving to Amsterdam (The Netherlands) in a few months so wanted to make sure I have enough money in place to cover my expenses. I’m going there for three months with one of my best friends, partly so I can enjoy a different culture and partly because we have some ideas for PluginID. Mind-blowing ideas.
It’s nice to see that I already have enough money for the trip, so now I’m working towards other expenses like purchasing a Macbook and my planned trips to India and Argentina. As you would expect, just thinking about the future is making me ridiculously excited (people say that, honest) and this excitement is actually the inspiration for this post.
There is no ‘problem’ as such in getting excited about the future, but it is a bit like playing a broken record. We’re always getting excited about the future. We’re always looking for that quick fix to make us happy. I’m writing this on a Saturday night (I have lots of work to do) and I’m already thinking about spending time with my family tomorrow when we go out for Father’s day.
Just think about all the quick-fixes for happiness or entertainment we have in our lives that we wait for. This is just a short list but there are many more things that we commonly look forward to:
- Sex / Porn
- Holidays
- Meeting Friends
- Fridays
- Weddings
- Births (I’m going to be an Uncle soon)
There is nothing wrong with any of these, and nothing wrong with the nature of looking forward to things. I’m sure you all agree that it’s nice to know enjoyable events are coming up in our schedule. The thing is, once this event we’ve been looking forward to is upon us, we’re already on the lookout for the next one; the next high.
- Once the baby is born, we look forward to the Christening or Birthdays
- Once it’s Friday we can’t wait until Saturday to hit the beach
- Once we’re out with friends we’re excited about putting our photos on Facebook
If you look closely at your current life situation, you’ll probably be able to relate to the points above. If you’re ‘lucky,’ it’s also likely that you have some awesome event that just can’t come soon enough. Chances are though – just like the examples above – once it has arrived, your attention won’t be there to enjoy it.
I don’t think anybody could say this better than Zen Buddhist, Thich Nhat Hanh:
In the United States, I have a close friend named Jim Forest. When I first met him eight years ago, he was working with the Catholic Peace Fellowship. Last winter, Jim came to visit. I usually wash the dishes after we’ve finished the evening meal, before sitting down and drinking tea with everyone else. One night, Jim asked if he might do the dishes. I said, “Go ahead, but if you wash the dishes you must know the way to wash them.” Jim replied, “Come on, you think I don’t know how to wash the dishes?” I answered, “There are two ways to wash the dishes. The first is to wash the dishes in order to have clean dishes and the second is to wash the dishes to wash the dishes.” Jim was delighted and said, “I choose the second way–to wash the dishes to wash the dishes.” From then on, Jim knew how to wash the dishes. I transferred the “responsibility” to him for an entire week.
If while washing dishes, we think only of the cup of tea that awaits us, thus hurrying to get the dishes out of the way as if they were a nuisance, then we are not “washing the dishes to wash the dishes.” What’s more, we are not alive during the time we are washing the dishes. In fact, we are completely incapable of realizing the miracle of life while standing at the sink. If we can’t wash the dishes, the chances are we won’t be able to drink our tea either. While drinking the cup of tea, we will only be thinking of other things, barely aware of the cup in our hands. Thus we are sucked away into the future and we are incapable of actually living one minute of life.
This Moment
This moment, right here, right now, wherever you are, is all that matters. This is it. I was reading ‘My Booky Wook’ recently which is the autobiography of British comedian, Russell Brand. In it he refers to the speeches that people tend to make when they receive an Oscar, Emmy, MOBO and so on. He points out that most people, when accepting awards, say things like “This means so much so me. My whole life has been leading up to this moment.”
Being the honest, no-nonsense comedian that he is, Russell points out that our whole lives have been leading up to every moment. Think about that: every single thing you’ve gone through in life, every high, every low and everything in between…it has led you to this moment. Everything that has happened in your life has led to this point.
I have already written an article about being present and living in the moment so I won’t go into that here. I do have a short story for you all though.
My Experience
There was a period of a few weeks around 3 months ago where I was trying to be in the moment as often as possible. Whether I was walking down the stairs, talking to a friend, writing a blog post or anything else, I would try to be fully present in that situation and not think about the past or the future.
There was one incident I will never forget, and that was while I was cleaning up in the kitchen (exciting, I know). I use my blender every single day, and while I was on this “being present binge,” really focused on cleaning it properly without thinking of somewhere else I could be or something else I could be doing.
It’s very hard to explain what I saw that day, but there was something about the water coming out of the tap that was just so…magical.
I’m sure this sounds very corny and surreal (or like I’m on drugs) but it was as if the water was alive. It ran so slowly, it glistened so brightly and even if just for a second – I thought it was a part of me. If I died today, there would be no doubt in my mind about marking that down as the most beautiful moment of my life.
If you can see that most of your life is spent reminiscing the past or awaiting the future, it’s not too late to change. I’m not going to end this post with an outline or action points of what you should do next. The message of this post is a lot less about doing and much more about being.
Instead, I want to end with a question that reiterates the title of this article: how much of life are you actually living?
If you’re like most people, the answer can probably be given with two words:- Not enough.
If you enjoyed this post, I would appreciate if you share it on Twitter, Facebook or Delicious!
Glenn, this is one of the best articles you’ve written in my opinion. At least it’s one of my all time favorites for your blog.
“If you can see that most of your life is spent reminiscing the past or awaiting the future, it’s not too late to change.”
This is so true. I spent very little of my first 47 years being present. I didn’t even know what that meant. You are so lucky to have learned this as a very young person. It makes all the difference in the world to a life of well-being, serenity, and happiness.
Thanks for your great blog!
Thanks Stephen, I really appreciate your comment. I try not to take my age into consideration as much as possible, after-all I might be here for as long or short a time as anyone else.
I loved the Pantene video on your site, thank you for sharing that
Great to read such a well written article that reminds me to ‘just be there!’
Thanks,
Gary
I tend to avoid blog posts like these because it reminds me of how much time I’ve wasted (am wasting). Yes, I realize it’s denial.
Now that I’ve read it, I can’t deny the truth of it. I’ve been living everyday for my trip back home which is still three months away. And now that I look back, I can’t remember anything worthwhile from this past week.
Time to get back into the present.
Hey Samar, awesome to see you on the blog!
Being conscious of it, rather than kidding yourself, is probably the most important step, so you’re already more than half way there
Hi,
I enjoyed reading your post and have a few doubts. You say “be alive, live in moment”. Tell me how?
You have your tea boiling and you are reading the newspaper. So won’t you think of tea while you try to grasp news?
Is it wrong to do many things at once? Like listening to songs while jogging? Sleeping while traveling? Having popcorn while watching the movie? I have hundreds of scenario where you just can’t live in moment!
I don’t think human has nature of clinging to one thing at a time. That’s how our mind is. Watching birds flying is of no use unless you can simultaneously think of flying on your own. This is essentially a different thought in the same moment.
So I do not agree with you. Please let me know if I am missing any point.
Hi Blue,
First of all, I recommend that you read this post which will explain how to be in the moment: http://www.pluginid.com/how-to-become-present/
No, none of these are wrong as such. They are what they are. What you have to understand is that it is always THIS MOMENT. Even if you are completely trapped thinking about the past or future, this moment is always happening around you.
It is not possible to have two thoughts at the same time, not conscious ones anyway. Try it now. Think of a pink elephant on it’s own and think of a black umbrella on it’s own at the same time. Or think of one and then think of what you had for lunch yesterday.
You’ll see that you can’t think of them both at the same time.
It is interesting that you disagree (which is fine) but are not grasping the concept. Again, I highly recommend that you read this: http://www.pluginid.com/how-to-become-present/
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, I appreciate it
Hey Glen, great Post. I see that you probably read “The Power of Now”. Tolle describes similar occations while being present.
greetings from Germany
Hey Mitch,
Yes I have read that book, about 3 times, and I have his DVD (http://www.pluginid.com/flowering-of-consciousness/) as well.
Thanks for stopping by, from the UK!
Hey, thanks for the link, I didn’t know that there is a DVD. I am going to check it out.
I’ve seen it in TED talks, read about it in other blogs and also experiencing it myself every day; there is a huge correlation between living in the moment, focusing on what you’re doing – and happiness.
Good reading
Hey Glen, that example rocks. So clear.
I try to live my life more since a couple of months ago, and it works pretty good. But when I go to school, I’m not on the road, I’m thinking about a new subject on my blog, how can I improve that or didn’t I forget anything. I’m never really on the road.
I think that is a good lesson, try to be more present indeed. Try to walk when you’re walking, not doing anything else but walking.
The best,
Stefan
Hey Stefan,
A nice tip you might want to try is not to label anything. Don’t even label in your mind the fact that you’re just focusing on your blog. Additionally, set aside time when you will SOLIDLY focus on your blog so that it does also get the attention it deserves.
Thanks for your comment.
Hi Glen,
It is always a challenge to stay in the present. There are times when we regret (looking back into the past) or look forward to something and both of these thoughts will deny us from staying in the present. Being in the present will help us to really live our life to our fullest. We don’t have a hold of the past or the future but we always have the present, present that we can do our best to do what we can. The article serve as a good reminder for us to stay in the present and thanks for the great article.
Cheers,
Vincent
I knew this has been happening – that my life has been about ‘waiting’ for events to happen. But I have never realized it fully till now. That part about you washing that blender of yours, I suddenly recalled one time when I felt that same way when I cleaned my kitchen sink. Right after that, I remembered feeling refreshed after that task was completed. But I never really knew why. Perhaps that was the moment when I was actually ‘living the moment’.
Thank you for this article.
Lina.
Hey Lina, thanks for stopping by.
That does sound very similar and is possibly what you experienced as well. I appreciate your comment
I love how you described the water looking ¨magical¨. I agree that if we stop and savour all the single moments of our life we will be living life to the maximum. Once I was walking outside and it was really hot and I was angry I had to walk, so I tried doing that, I tried to enjoy the light wind and every smell I felt and it was so great I didn`t even feel tired afterwards.
This is excellent advice, after all, we never know if we`ll ever get to the next quick-fix of entertainment so we might as well enjoy THIS moment.
Like right now, writing this comment? The time of my life
I’m just thrilled to be fully present while Rosa is having the time of her life… on YOUR blog, no less, and when YOU are fully present. That’s probably as close as we’re going to get to all of us being in the same place at the same time for quite a while!
One way to be fully present while looking forward to something, like your move to Amsterdam, is to enjoy the process of planning for it. Be aware of the parts that are flowing smoothly, and appreciate the hurdles and challenges you have to overcome in order to reach your goal. That way each moment is a time of celebration or personal growth, and none is ever wasted.
This is the only time we’ll all be together
Great tips Cease, thanks for that.
I don’t know about YOU, but Rosa and I have BIG plans for Vegas, baby. Verdad que si, Rosita?
Claro!!! I already got my shades, blonde afro and am ready to rock
Quien necesita a Glen? Se me olvido porque lo invitamos 
Vamos niños. Discutir su caso de que ambos sabemos no va a suceder … en alguna otra parte.
A menos que se me invita de nuevo;)
Awwwwwwwww look at you so cute trying to speak spanish. Por eso es que te amo con locura!!!
Y No! no vas para ningún lado ya, perdiste tu invitacion. O que dices Lisissss?
rosa is such a hippy
hey! dont call me that, or ill kick you
Great post! It’s so important to live in the moment — to REALLY live life — instead of just waiting for the next thing to happen. Thanks so much for writing this. It’s so well put together and it really made me think about a topic that’s important to me – being present!
Hey PP!
I knew you would like this one. It’s not a topic I cover often but it is certainly a subject I feel is important. Thank you for stopping by
Great article!
I like the part where you said there are two ways to wash the dishes. That’s something that really cuaght my attention. I think I am going to start asking people that quesion with what they do. ;D
Thanks
Hey Alex, nice to see you at the site.
Remember this was actually a passage from a Zen Master, but definitely a great message.
Thank you
Hey Glen
Great stuff. It’s funny because my post that I wrote for today was about the futility of instant gratification. Seems like pretty similar stuff
. You’ve made some really great points and are quite wise for somebody so young.
I love this post. My stress levels seems to dissolve when I live in the moment and I find the joy and enthusiasm in me bubbles out like a fountain.
Good luck with your move!
you have to go to amma when you hit up india
and get a hug. she’s legend, tell her i say hi 
like how your writing style is evolving… or mutating
like the hulk when he goes green. lol.
love that excitement. can feel it as i read this. funk yeah. just had like hour long convo with rishan. the stories!!! sure you’ve heard ‘em. holy funk. makes me so excited about my life one day when i do that and make it happen and lord the planet like rishan the bollwood james bond
really liked the dishes story. such a buddhist kinda annecdote
alive water?? glenny, you back to your old long street carguard tricks?
haha lol, i know the feeling. completely bonkers.
i think that the excitement it a great way to drive you, to experience the awesomeness of life. but it won’t complete you. and it’s def ellusive, like trying to catch a chicken
from nandos 
how much of life are you actually living?
funking power question
respect-o
ali – unleash reality
Hey Glen
Really enjoying your posts and this is another great one! After reading another of your posts last night, I was really inspired and (in a good way) could really see how I have not been living life to the full recently, you know how sometimes it’s really inspiring to see the gap?….I was up at 6.30am this morning for a walk and generally seizing the day! Thanks for another great reminder Glen.
Jen
Hey Jen, good to see you around.
As I said below, it’s really awesome for me to see that one of my main aims (inspiring people) is paying off. Thanks for sharing your story
Great post!! Noticed a typo in the Zen Bhudist story..“There are two ways to was(h) the dishes. The first is …..just thought you should know…Peace my friend…will check back soon
Hey Aum, thanks for the heads up.
Fixed!
Extraordinary article and another reason why pluginid has an RSS under my netvibes “inspirational” tab.
Quite a few gems in this post, my favorite being your recollection of living in the moment while your tap was running. Reminiscent of when one gets in an accident or other near death experience, time and life seem to slow down as you become completely aware and immersed “in the moment”.
Cheers!
Hey Collin, thanks for stopping by!
I really appreciate the kind words and it’s nice to know I’m living up to my aims
Excellent post! I love the Thich Nhat Hanh story… and how you said, “…every single thing you’ve gone through in life, every high, every low and everything in between…it has led you to this moment. Everything that has happened in your life has led to this point.”
Good stuff, Glen! And I’m not looking forward to future posts from you.. just enjoying this one, today.
Hey Karen! Nice to see you back
Haha nicely put. I’m not looking forward to writing them either
Hi, good article
“This moment, right here, right now, wherever you are, is all that matters. This is it.”
I disagree. While doing the dishes or putting on your coat getting ready to leave you could solve problems you have been working on (professional or personal) or create new ideas.
although there are plenty of moments that sentence applies perfectly
And when will you do those things? Right now.
There is no other time you can do them. You can’t do them in the future, or in the past…just now.
Thank you for your comment
I just stumbled upon your post Glen, and after reading just this single post I already subscribed. The principle you write about is so essentially true, thank you so much for explaining it.
You are talking about your expierience in the kitchen, and I know perfectly what you mean. I had similar moments a couple times, but I never really questioned the reason for them. Now I understand why I still remember these moments as “complete”. Simple things as a coca-cola on a lonesome beach, a fruit yogurt in a small bar, or a beer on the way home – by feet.
In my case there are always some similarities: I am alone, I eat/drink and there are few technical devices around.
Abracos from a german student in Brazil, Robert
why would you buy a macbook? they’re so gay! what, are you trying to be trendy or something? if you want to get anything done, get a windows based machine. if you want to get a **** shoved into your ***, get a macbook
Edited by Glen for obvious reasons
You have a lot of free time, huh?
Anyways, I have 3 windows based machines and I can’t be bothered for BSOD and other problems. I want a macbook because all I need is a browser…and it just…works.
Oh and no.
dave is a chode
I used to live in the future all the time, and now I do so less and less. Funny thing is… it was doing the dishes that taught me how to live in the new.
I used to fight doing them because I hated the time they took and they’d just get dirty anyway and I’d much rather be doing something else.
Now I do the dishes a type of short meditative break in my day focusing on just the dishes and I really enjoy them and feel like I’ve missed out on something if I don’t do them.
Awesome post Glen! I have always wanted to live in the moment, but somehow never did it completely (at least for a long stretch of time). This post has inspired me to try it again. Thanks for such a great post.
And, that experience of the glistening water, probably that is what spiritual gurus call the joy of living in the now. The ecstasy of timelessness. You were cleaning something and you were completely involved in the cleaning that you failed to think of anything else. That moment, that very moment (I think) you have caught a glimpse of timelessness. Lost in the moment, something very ordinary has appeared extraordinary to you. This is my perception of the whole thing. Excuse me if I’m exaggerating things.
“It’s very hard to explain what I saw that day, but there was something about the water coming out of the tap that was just so…magical.”
Nothing corny about that my friend. I’ve had a similar experience and all I can say is it was amazing.
Great post.
What a beautiful post.
My answer to your question is “not enough”. I now have the choice to do something about it and that is to start living in the moment RIGHT NOW.
Thanks a lot, this post made my day.
Nemaste
This was pointed out to me the other day. Thanks for going into so much detail and sharing it with the world. People need to focus on now, enjoy the moment and stop moaning about how it could be.
Peace
I think that if you look deep down, even if you are one of those people that seem to have it down, and do a lot of meaningful things, there’s always something you are not doing, that you should be, in your mind. I tend to get this feeling a lot, even if I have accomplished a few things. I always love to read your posts, because they make me dig dip down. Although the questions posed, don’t really have an answer
.
I just spent the last two weeks in The Netherlands and I strongly advise you to get out of Amsterdam for a couple of days if you can. Though beautiful, Amsterdam is what I call a “gringo town” or a tourist town, so it is very artificial; like a Disney version of Holland. Take a train to Delft or Utrecht for a day and you will see the beautiful Dutch way of living. This is a superb country that has very little to do with drugs and prostitutes on windows. Have a nice stay in Holland and let it’s everywhere postcard feeling inspire you like it has myself. Have a great day,
Renato
Hey Glen, great post again. Being present – something a lot of us miss. It’s easy to forget because we’re always thinking about how to achieve goals, what to do tomorrow, planning ahead, and so on and so forth. Meditation helps in making me much more present.
Great post!!!!!!!! Loved the concept of how to wash the dishes and for the first time I realized how many times I had rushed through, just to get to something else. In the last year, I am learning how to live and still accomplish what I need to. A totally new way of life for me.
If I died today, there would be no doubt in my mind about marking that down as the most beautiful moment of my life.
OMG! I would punch you on the face so hard if I were near!!!
OMG! I would punch you on the face so hard if I were near!!!
OMG! Then tell your friends* how amazing you are and revel in the validation.
*is not applicable in this case
To everyone else – I’m not normally this reactive, it’s just a shame that people like this put others off from expressing themselves.
Anon -
Dude, if you’re going to be a jerk, you should probably have the balls to use your own name. There’s nothing more loser face than being a coward. Glen thinks you would go tell your friends, but I think you’d probably hide behind your mommy’s skirt.
It’s quite possible that my mum (nearly 80) IS dying at this moment having been called into hospital. It’s also quite possible that I am more fully alive right now because my best mate got to go to Glastonbury on my ticket and I can be really pleased for her and I get to talk to my dad.
Yesterday I was quite irritable with my brother-in-law. I can never take back the things I said, only say I am sorry.
The truth is – as soon as you start to comment on life – you sorta stop “being” and start “observing” – its a bit like quantum physics if you think about consciousness, awareness, be-ing etc.
If I died today, there would be no doubt in my mind about marking that down as the most beautiful moment of my life.
I normally don’t make those sweet multifruit juices just because having to clean the blender afterwards… I will definitely try to get on the habit of making one of those daily, just for the sake of cleaning the blender hahah
Nice points!
PS: you know what happened to your friend’s site? (upgrade reality), I was starting to check it pretty often lastly and now it points to an empty website.. maybe some hosting thing? Hope it comes back soon :S
Haha, instead…focus on walking into the kitchen and not on cleaning the blender
Regarding Upgrade Reality, i think he overwrote the site by accident. I have sent him a message though to be sure.
Hey Glen!
Thanks for pointing out about the hosting on upgradereality.
I changed from godaddy to hostgator, and it will take 48hrs that my site is down to change DNS. Sorry to all who want to view.
Will be back within 24 hrs I hope.
Diggy!
Thanks for the update buddah
it’s true, i’m living a boring life, but man…i don’t know how else to pay back my student loans, and feed my family
Very nicely written article !
I never read this blog before, I just stumbled here, but it was very interesting. I recognize it all – looking forward all the time, and then not enjoying the moment, just skipping on to the next interesting point in future. After just pondering it for a minute, I had a minor experience aswell – no kidding! My mind felt like it was very concentrated, and I felt a sensation that can only be described as a stimulation, like “waking up”.
I’ll definately try living this more often, it really puts everything in a new, more exiting perspective! Thanks for sharing your thoughts & by the way – the Zen quote was a masterpiece.
Children have a way of doing these things. When I was a child, I remember washing the dishes for the sake of washing the dishes, I just enjoyed it, not thinking it to be a shore. But grownups have so many things to be anxious about, they forget they have so many things they can enjoy at the present moment where they are
Hey Glen,
I experienced something similar to the “magical water.” 7 years ago it happened and for at least a week the entire world felt alive. Walls felt hollow and the message of beauty and the meaning of life was ingrained in every fiber of existence. It was the most “alive” I have felt, and this helps put it in a little more perspective. It came at a time when I was doing a lucid dreaming practice called cognitive mapping. The basic idea is you become more aware during the day so that you can become more aware while you are dreaming. I paid attention to everything for several weeks and in the process my mind raced. My thoughts thought themselves and I watched them. Stories of the scenery around me unfolded, but it was all very energetic and I found it difficult to go to sleep and ended up getting very sick and hospitalized for a few weeks. Even so I wouldn’t have traded the experience for anything. Thanks for reminding me of the art of awareness. It’s been a while since I have truly practiced it.
Peace,
-Michael Kummer
P.S. If you’re interested I can tell you more.
I have a great example of living in the moment. I happen to be a skydiver and when you are skydiving there is no thinking about the future. No five minutes from now or what I’ll do next week about that issue at work. The only thing that exists is right here right now. My body and the sky. Probably that’s why skydiving is so awesome!
Nice Jon, have you ever bungee jumped?
I have and even for the briefest of seconds I felt like I was flying. I’m just wondering if it is a similar experience to sky diving?
Glen, stop, you’re on FIRE! You keep bringing it! And I love that as much hard work you put into this, you’re having just as much FUN.
Great stuff, off to Twitter it!
Glen!!!
I enjoyed the article. You are so “on” here about so many things. Being in the present is really so important for our human experience!!! However although constantly awaiting the future is indeed an irritating trap, learning to create a better future is not. I believe we can learn a lot from Zen traditions and practices.
Glen, allow me to share my understanding of “washing the dishes to wash to dishes”. As I see it such a concept goes deeper, than explained in this article. As I see it, the very fact that we can wash dishes here on planet Earth as human beings in the midst of endless time and space is an incredible miracle! Think about it! The very fact amidst infinity.
Write me at my e-mail, if you like,
Gerald
Glen!
I guess my first comment didn’t get posted. I’m trying again. I liked the article. Really! Good job! I do agree that always “awaiting the future” is an irritating trap. However I’d like to add that creating a better future isn’t. Think about it.
Second of all I’d like to comment on “washing the dishes to wash the dishes”. I believe the concept was meant to be interpreted more deeply, than explained in this article. If you think about it, the very fact that we can “wash the dishes” here on planet Earth as human beings in the midst of endless time and space is a huge miracle indeed! That is quite profound.
Write me if you like at my e-mail,
Gerald
It is now.
Time to Blog.
Am I having a nervous breakdown?
No
It is all a matter of mind
Of mind over mind
Woooo Wooo
Kasabian
Rock
The Clock
I am linking my thinking with computer technology
RIP MJ
I have no idea what to say
Woooo Wooo — I will be there 2moz
The world’s greatest adult playground
Glastonbury
Woooo Wooo Wooo Wooo Wooo
This article made me remember about a little experience.
I drive a lot everyday.
One day, after watching myself envolved in this activity, i realize that every 5 seconds i was looking thru the mirrors. All the time looking back, watching what was happening behind me. I started asking myself “why” i always do that? its obvius you need to see whats behind so you can protect yourself from accidents but i thought i was paying much more attention to the mirrors than my way forwards.
In that moment I realized that my entire life was based on looking thru the mirrors every 5 seconds. Such a waste of time!
So my driving experience became much better when i started doing it “forwards”, paying attention to details in that moment, enjoying every sec. of the ride, watching myself going somewhere and sometimes looking thru the mirrors to remember where i came from, and of course protecting myself.
Marcos
Great analogy Marcos…for so many, until we learn to not continually look what is behind us, we don’t know how to move forward and truly live. Not living in the past so we can live for the future. Although without those experiences that do lay behind us, we wouldn’t evolve into being the persons that we are…that is if we learn from those experiences whether good or bad.
So hard for me to get what I want to say from the brain to the paper…
Hello!
I enjoyed your article quite a bit and that reminder to live in the present is ever needed in this world.
I do find it interesting that this is in direct opposition with the many efficiency blogs out there which teach to think ahead, to plan for what’s coming, to analyze what’s been so you can improve on it, etc.
Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you.
You’ve just reminded someone of what he already knows. And that is very important to me.
I am creating a website for my corporate retreats. I thought I should provide a link to your website, or (with your permission, copy and paste your article in to my website).
Keep on writing. Keep on reflecting. And yes, keep on washing your dishes for the sake of washing the dishes.
Jef
Amsterdam?
Whoa, good luck with that fella!
Good post mate!
That is mind blowing… I just started listening to Eckhart Tolle… that is exactly what is talking about…. while I was listening the only thing I could thing of is thinking about remembering all the things he was saying… if you are in to “being in the moment” or “finding happiness in your life” you must look in to Eckhart Tolle. I ran in to thins blog totally by accident or did I.
My daughter sent me this link, and quite glad she did. Enjoyed reading the article as well as the comments. Thanks for editing where applicable. I have been a member of a 12 step program for over 39 years and the adage of living one day at a time has been ingrained, but living in the moment, being present where you are is the ultimate goal.
Thank you for taking the time to do this. To quote Star Wars, May the force be with you, on your trip.
Amy
Thanks for that!
Hey there Glen, not sure if you’re checking up on all these comments, but I had a thought-question I think you might enjoy.
I completely agree with your message, that spontaneity and living for the moment is the only way to appreciate this short gift of life that we have. However, isn’t prefacing spontaneity by planning to be spontaneous and live for the moment an act of thinking into the future?
-David
Thanks for that. Now I know that Amsterdam is in (The Netherlands)…
All this is obvious. Of course we are in the moment, every moment of life. But we actually are taking time in life to PLAN AHEAD, or we would not use an alarm clock to ensure we get up on time in the morning, or brush our teeth before going to bed, or go to the bank to deposit funds, or go on a vacation. In your simplified concept, you would say that the moment we are in is a “planning moment”. I really do get your concept, I am not missing anything.
Based on your comment above, I will respectfully disagree. That is not what is being discussed here.
Thanks for this post. This is the first time I’ve read your writing. After skimming the article I washed the dishes. I haven’t been truly present for a while. This post brought me back.
Thanks again!
you know what men? you are crazy
looking to water is the most beautifull moment in your life ??? crazy.
but where in this world do we find a man like you?? you have an amazinly beautifull soul. you just showed me i’m not the only crazy man. lol.
i felt in love with water one time too, and i try to do it as much as i can. you feel like you belong to those thing right? water, earth, grass … it is an incredible feeling.
anyway, i think 99.99% of people does not get it. but we do, why should we care.
everytime i read your blog i start thinking , hell , this dude is just like me.
the easiest way to get your self to live in the moment is to spell just what youre doing
if you are washing dishes say : right now i am washing dishes, and try not to think about any thing else.
it even boost your memory
your doing very well with this blog, it remind of a lot of nice things i already know, and some times it gives me more. love it
and one last thing: try taking a bird with you some isolated place, a green place (a lot of grass i mean), lie on earth and watch the blue sky. just feel you belong to those stuff, and breath deeply.
it will be the best moment in your life even if you die 80 years from now.
and take some choclate with you it will make it better, lol
have a nice day buddy
my friend, just wait till you try ecstasy
Hi Glen,
Really enjoyed your post. So true about the water and the washing up. The feeling you get at the end of a water ski is similar when you let go of the rope and glide into shore. Except it never lasts long enough!
Thanks for making me more aware today. Really appreciate it.
Cheers, Pete.
PS: Have post along similar (less inspiring but hopefully useful) lines at http://www.alturnal.com
Corollary: Take pleasure in the little things.
We bathe because we are already clean.
I’m not sure I agree.
Consider a metaphor.
Transfer your weight onto one foot while leaning forward, in order that your center of gravity is temporarily over-extended, while simultaneously putting your free foot out to ‘catch’ yourself from falling. Now rinse and repeat. Voila: walking.
If you want to walk faster, lean further forward. It’s like watching a Segway, but with articulation.
All willful locomotion — whether bipedal or otherwise — depends on initiating a controlled disequilibrium which ultimately results in a prefered new equlibrium.
So it is with looking forward to things in life. Planning for the future. Saving for a rainy day. Working hard today for a better tomorrow.
The ability to conceptualize the _consequences_ of a temporarily destabilizing disequilibrium is what makes man master of the world.
So ‘living in the future’, far from being a modern malaise, is precisely what enables progress, advancement and civilisation. That doesn’t mean that the disequilibrium is always comfortable while it’s happening. Indeed, our atavistic selves usually counsel rest in the absence of an urgent limbic call to action — when we’re not starving or physically threatened, say.
But meanwhile, our higher brain recognises that the competion for scarce resources in a hostile world is relentless. And that means running to keep up — however uncomfortable that might sometimes feel.
Indeed, deferred gratification (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deferred_gratification) is analysed as an indicator for intelligence and emotional maturity.
And as for the dishes, whatever he may claim, Thich Nhat Hanh’s superordinate goal when he washes the dishes is to have clean dishes. If he can enter a state of flow (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)) while doing so — whether because he has phenomenal mental self-control, or an unusually quiet life — then so be it. But most people can’t, and would find their “cognitive surplus” (the brain parts left unused while dishes are being done) better invested in preparatory mental activity, daydreaming, or contructively anticipating the future.
And if they get the dishes done quickly, they can return to the table to enjoy more time with their dinner guests, in whose gratitude they will find favour, and through whose company they will obtain the familiar state of flow which most humans achieve through routine social interaction.
good article, i really enjoyed it.
i seem to wonder though, part of what makes us human is we contemplate the future and plan. only living and being in the moment seems like how most animals exist.
anyway, i do think it is good advice, it’s just that this thought came to me while reading it.
This is the central theme of “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”, by the way. Excellent book.
Wow… How eye-opening. Thanks mister writer ^_^
nice article but I disagree, if your always in the present and the present is always dull and boring then perhaps it is best to think about your future
The present is what it is…even when it’s “great.”
Thanks for nice article friend,
i agree till some extent with you. to be happy, we need to live in present moment. but present moment is always the result of past.same way future is also made of today’s work.so what i understand is that whatever you have planned for future break into pieces and enjoy that pieces in their moment.( because those who live in fully present moment are in mental hospital, they are crazy.)
Haha, tell that to Buddha
Oh, and by that I mean I respectfully disagree. It is always right now, there is no reason for your mind to be focused on anything other than what you are doing now.
Thanks for sharing your magical experience while cleaning your kitchen.
You inspired me
It’s very easy to adopt habits that start to rob us of our life. Thanks for the article. It reminds me to evaluate how I spend my time.
I hope you’re stay in Amsterdam will be a god one. But make sure you have checked up on everything (new public transport system, food expenses) You probably already have, but there’s always a few small things I tend to forget when I travel.
I know a quote that matches:
“Whenever you’re afraid of tomorrow, think about it: today is the day yesterday you were so afraid of!”
~ Péter Popper
Wow, this post was very uplifting. It really hit home – I could sympathize with every sentence – and I’ll definitely be keeping Hanh’s story in mind for a while. Thank you!
I guess I always realized this, but clearly stating it really has got me thinking about life up to now. It is so true that everything leading up to now is a consequence of what has come before it. The example with washing dishes has reminded me to be present in every moment. Life is too short, too precious, too amazing to let even the most mundane tasks seem worthless. Thanks for putting my mind back on track!
Everything before has led up to now. WOW… that is so obvious, yet so easy to forget sometimes. Thanks for putting my back in check. Life is too short, too amazing, and too precious to not be present right here right now! Thanks again!
Glen, this is the best post I’ve read over last… well… few months. No fuss. Just meaning.
Altough there is nothing difficult in it… I’ve read it few times today… to _understand_ it fully… I know it’ll sounds strange, but it’s like I feel what I’ve just read.
And the blender-tap-water expierience; it’s brilliant. Not sure if that’s the same thing, but I do have such feeling sometimes, that can see everything like from 3rd perspective, from distance. I see myself in the center, doing what I’m doing, and everything happens so slowly. Awesome feeling. (no drugs)
Once again. Brilliant post. Thanks for writing it.
If you ever have trouble “getting” this concept, I can really recommend having a baby. I’ve been doing meditation and generally being present for a little while now, but my 2 week old daughter is a total master at it – there is ONLY the present for her. It’s very inspiring to witness.
It affirms my belief – most of this self development stuff isn’t so much about change, it’s about remembering what we already know, but have become conditioned to forget.
I have a few questions. So what happened with you (in fact all of us) on the way? Can you prevent your girl from leaving the now? And how?
If the now is all we need to know and ‘be present in’, what good are all the planning and being absent-minded we develop on the way? Is there something wrong with mankind: time and again it seems we should go back to a animal or kid-state of mind. I am puzzled…
What if buddhists ruled the world?
@Erik
The now is just basic reality, our thoughts are the ones that go against it, therefore making the now unpleasant. There are three states of mind. Unconsciousness, below thought, which what animals, and plants are in, and sometimes humans when they drink, or take drugs. Then the thought oriented mind. Then a state of consciousness which is the awareness of the thoughts, and everything around itself, which I call beingness. So the now is just what is. If your girl leaves you see is still here now, in your head perhaps, or somewhere that happens now. When she is beside you that is the now again. It is just the space. Now can you prevent your girl from leaving? I think thats what you were asking. And yes there are some seduction techniques, but there is no guarantee. Your best bet is be comfortable with yourself, simply by loving yourself unconditionally. Now let me ask you this. Which is more painful? The resistance that your girl has left you or, the acceptance of what is. Is the answer not obvious and either way the needier your are the more people are likely to push away potential lovers.
Hehe! Thank you for your detailed answer, Alex. Funny how you interpreted it: with the ‘girl’ I was actually referring to Iain’s daughter, which obviously knows how to be in the now. Though I do doubt if she is in the state you mean, with awareness of thought and all.
Thank you for explaining the three versions of being in the now, it’s a little clearer now (…).
As for girls of my age leaving me…you’re probably right too. Acceptance is the key, also when being with her in the first place. Missed that the last ten years. It’s always me not accepting the now and leaving her. Zapping from channel to channel, girl to girl and life to life. I start to see that that is a rather anxious and shallow way of living. Life in a horizontal way, to put it abstractly. Choosing the now/situation I’m in adds a vertical level to it and deepens the moment. It is the ‘gate to the now’ which Eckhart Tolle uses to describe this process.
I read this blog yesterday and started listening to Tolle’s audiobooks. Very simple, but it reaches deep within me. I will try washing the dishes and doing what I do just for the sake of it as often as I can. There has been a veil around myself for too long. Wasting my now.
Good luck to all of you, and a happy present.
Erik
Thanks, It’s a great article.
But “Once we’re out with friends we’re excited about putting our photos on Facebook”, that bit is just retarded…
You should watch The Hangover.
Really enjoyed this article, I think it’s very important in today’s society of GOGOGOGO. We need to all learn to stop and smell the roses for two minutes and actually… Breathe.
Excellent article, and great template on your site as well.
This is absolutely one of the coolest posts I have read in a while. I think, just to add, we should all find something we love that also makes meaning to us. Making meaning. Once you make meaning, in anything (not just ‘saving the world’, I mean anything that you feel a ring to, even if it is porn like Hug Hefner – up to you), you will live a full life!
Glen,
Whoa.
I was driving in the car with my family the other night…in a hurry to get where I was going about 10 miles away (taking the kids to grandmas)…
I wanted to “rush” to get there…to get the driving done.
After reading this post (the first I’ve read on your blog)…I’ve had a “duh” moment. I drove the car just to get where I was going…and missed out on the drive itself.
Great stuff dude.
It is so hard to enjoy the journey when you are so excited about the destination.
I find myself looking forward to life events so often. I think one point that needs to be made is that looking forward to things gets some of us through the most mundane, unhappy situations. For instance, I work a cubicle job – living in the moment can be really difficult when you are working to pay the bills and get your next travel high. While I do understand the importance of “the moment” I think it is equally as important to keep ourselves sane.