What do you do to make yourself present in the moment?

Daily | November 3rd, 2008 by Carrie McCarthy

Today’s question comes from our Mama renew writer, Sarah Juliusson, who is always encouraging us to be here now.

Carrie says: A deep breath and asking myself “Am I treasuring this moment? Am I feeling treasured?” My Style Statement is Refined Treasure.

Danielle says: My breath - deep from the belly. And, ironically enough, my ambitions - which always remind me: “start where you are.”

Sarah says: My two boys. I struggle with how often I realize I am not present in the moment, not connected to my body, my heart. My children are my little zen masters, expanding not only my awareness of what each moment has to offer but also helping to engage me in the beauty of what is. When I’m off in another land they tug on my arm and my older boy has even been known to turn my head to face his. I ache with guilt when they need to physically redirect me to bring me into full focus on their needs.

Small things I do include quick yoga breaks, a step outside for fresh air in the midst of a focused day of work, really really good food that demands to be savoured, and calling my husband just because. I know a woman who used to wear a buzzer that would give her an electronic zing every five minutes to bring her mindfully into the moment

Viewing 38 Comments

Dreamqueen Yesterday 12:47 AM 1 point
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I try and clear my mind and just listen to the sounds that surround me, they bring me back to the present. Really listening allows me to block out my thoughts and feel like I'm floating.

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textimage Yesterday 04:22 AM 1 point
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the breath (of course) but i also remember to say to my self "everything is auspicious". that too really grounds and centers me in the beauty of now.

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Cobby Yesterday 04:26 AM 1 point
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I do not do enough to make myself present in the moment. I am very much "in my head." The thing I found a few years ago that helped me to be in the present the most was hot yoga classes. When I was going three to five times a week, I found that the process of being present on the mat in the moment bled over into all other aspects of my life in a great way.

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Danette Yesterday 05:07 AM 1 point
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Totally! Nothing like hot yoga to slap your mind around. That is a kind of intensity I have not experienced anywhere else, I admire that you went 3-5 times a week!

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Sarah Yesterday 02:10 PM 1 point
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Oh yes, when I was practicing hot yoga it was an incredible exercise in mindfulness. Anything to not faint!

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Chantal Yesterday 04:59 AM 1 point
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My eyes and my dog. I just refocus my eyes to whatever I'm looking at and pay attention. And watching my dog live in the moment perfectly and always with joy and abandon. This helps me realign.

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Danette Yesterday 05:05 AM 1 point
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If I'm not alone, I give my company my full attention and know that all I have to do is listen right now, I can let all my own fruit fly thoughts go and be present. Laughing always jolts me into the present.

If I'm alone, then it's singing out loud about how I'm feeling. I make up silly songs on the spot and articulate what is going on for me. That's fun. If not singing, then dancing or hula-hooping bring my attention into my body.

My body is always present, but every once in a while I seem to forget it's there.

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JoeM Yesterday 05:31 AM 1 point
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I always ask myself; "If I had a month to live, what would I be doing right now?" That puts me squarely in the moment. I also look for the beauty in what I'm doing, looking for that which brings me the most joy. This cuts through all the stuff that might be getting in the way. Last, I always try to think about those I love the most and how it might affect them.

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Wazzy Yesterday 05:33 AM 1 point
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I take a deep belly breath, as deep as I can in that moment. And sometimes I try to engage my senses.

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Karen Yesterday 06:05 AM 1 point
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I find that the most often way I am brought back into the moment is unconscious, such as driving in the early morning and seeing the same streets in a new light - the best way for my eyes and mind to return to the present. If I need to do it mid day I try to recall why I made the choices that brought me to today and how my next choice will affect me in the future.

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Jess Yesterday 06:27 AM 1 point
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Similar to Carrie - I ask myself if I'm feeling 'comfortable' (I'm Comfortable Bold)...bringing myself back to my emotional and mental state, allows me to gauge what's going on inside and adjust if necessary - bringing me back to the present.

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Diane Yesterday 06:52 AM 1 point
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I look at trees. Sometimes I'll jump in my car and take a ride to somewhere wooded, or I just stand on the back deck and look up at the trees. They fascinate me, especially at this time of year. And when I'm getting ahead of myself or worrying too much, it brings me back and gives me the sense that if trees can grow the way they do, I can accomplish what needs to be done too. I actually take a slightly longer route to work every day because there are lots of trees and it puts me in the right frame of mind for the day.

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Cindy - Creative Classic Yesterday 07:09 AM 1 point
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Meditation, hands down, has been the best thing to help bring me back to the present moment. I also deep breath at different times throughout the day.

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Ellen Yesterday 07:12 AM 1 point
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Remember to do so.

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MoJo Yesterday 07:26 AM 1 point
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I have tons of little triggers - remembering/focusing on breath, walking through doorways (Gurdjieff), my hands (Castaneda), my inner critic (I decided a while ago to make this ongoing mental rampage a trigger to remind me to be present - it works quite well!)

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K. Yesterday 07:26 AM 1 point
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Breathe in, breathe out, paying particular attention to how my chest, shoulders, spine and muscles are all working together. Putting myself back in my body with breath clears my mind to be open to the moment.

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weezie Yesterday 07:46 AM 1 point
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I don't know what this means!!! Where are you if you're NOT in the moment? I'm usually enjoying myself and paying attention to what I'm doing, unless I'm not. Am I always in the moment or never there? Ya'll help me out here.

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Emily-Sarah Yesterday 07:53 AM 1 point
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I think maybe a lot of us are guilty of being "half" in the moment too often -- because our minds are whirling with thoughts unrelated to what's actually going on. I also think that multitasking is a huge component of not being fully present. For a long time it was billed as a super productive way of life: talk on phone, drive, put on nail polish -- all at once! Or fold laundry, have conversation with husband, pretend play with son -- all at once. ... I'm glad that research is now emerging that shows multitasking is NOT more productive in the long haul. So being in the moment can, I think, be as simple as "registering" where you are and what you're doing instead of letting your mind take your thoughts elsewhere.

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Emily-Sarah Yesterday 07:48 AM 1 point
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I am DELIBERATE in noticing the moment instead of thinking about the past or the future. Sometimes I stop and mentally capture the moment, the feeling, the love. Looking around you and realizing that NOW is the only guaranteed time we have is a powerful realization when you absorb its truth, its beauty, and its clarity.

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Elena Yesterday 07:51 AM 1 point
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Breath in deeply, look around and try and notice all the little things, how God is speaking to me through those small pieces of beauty and truth at that very moment. Continue on my way, but breathing in deeply and thinking the word "God" on every in breath, and consciously thinking about expelling my tension and rotten feelings and all the places where my head is floating some stressful elsewhere on every exhale.

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stella Yesterday 08:26 AM 1 point
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I take a breathe. Always brings you back to now.

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Colette Yesterday 08:38 AM 1 point
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When I find myself dwelling on the past or wondering about tomorrow, the easiest thing I've found to do is toclose my eyes and breathe slowly, focusing on every breath. When I feel relaxed, I then intentionally focus on what I would most benefit me at that very moment. You've got to have a resource of mind shifters that can get you out of the negative and back into the positive; a personal deck of cards that's all Aces. I find repeating "I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, happy and joyful" reminds me that all is well.

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laurie_matthews Yesterday 08:59 AM 1 point
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Pause, breathe, and awaken my senses.

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Lynda Monk Yesterday 09:04 AM 1 point
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My two sons - age 3 and 1 - observing how they are instrinsically in the moment, having this snack then the next :)) reminds me of NOW. Writing in my journal, listening to my fast moving pen scratch words over the blank white page. Walking meditations, noticing my feet connect with the earth beneath me. Inhale, pause, exhale - with particular attention on the pause. Peace, Lynda

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kerrymac Yesterday 09:16 AM 1 point
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I'm with Sarah and the struggle to be in the moment with kids. My method sounds horrible but it does work for me...I think morbid thoughts. About a friend who lost their life suddenly in a tragic accident who's kids are left behind or another dear friend who is fighting breast cancer...what if that were me? Would the things that distract me from being present with my kids right now really matter??? NO, of course not! Then I am shocked back on track. I also think of my blog as a journey and grounding point for seeing the big picture when things are chaotic.
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EcoDiva Yesterday 09:38 AM 1 point
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I completely understand the morbid thoughts. I have always used this method to remind myself to be truly grateful and enjoy what is important. I wish your friend dealing with cancer courage and love. And the kids left behind...well, we can hope that they find a peace in their lives and are surrounded by so much love each day.

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EcoDiva Yesterday 09:28 AM 1 point
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Getting down on the floor and playing with my son is my best trigger. Next, we throw on some rain boots and wander outside to hunt for slugs and bugs. He proudly created little stories about them and how we have to find the mommies and babies and daddies so they can all be together. Then we take a stick and go fishing for leaves, yellow ones are the salmon. This is my favorite moment and as real as any moment can be.

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alligator_kate Yesterday 09:50 AM 1 point
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I focus on my body. Am I IN my body? How does my body feel? Where is there tension? What feels supported? If I can't feel my body, I know I'm not in it.... During a long writing session I'll turn on some music and dance a bit. Even just one song helps. And if things are really bad... I lie on the earth. That grounds me every time. My 80% is elemental, so any deep connection to earth/air/fire/water helps--- a soaking bath, lighting a candle, deep breathing, etc.

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CarrieM Yesterday 05:38 PM 1 point
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Ditto for me. "Am I in my body?" realigns everything.

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Rick_Juliusson Yesterday 11:05 AM 1 point
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I remind myself that I'm here by choice; in this situation and this moment by choice.

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Kristen Yesterday 01:45 PM 1 point
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I'm sorry to be such a naysayer lately, but with all the things we have to think about in a day, now I should MAKE myself present in the moment? What has become of us?!!

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Lindsay Yesterday 01:56 PM 1 point
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You are not present if it seems like work to you.... that's the point... letting go of all the "things" and being for an instant present with yourself, with nature, with your breath.... this will lift so much burden... even for only an instant... it's worth it.... the lightness of being in the moment.

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Lindsay Yesterday 01:49 PM 1 point
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I focus on grounding myself, focus on my feet and visualize them as roots into the earth. I breath, and remember that only the NOW exists. I listen to nature around me, pause to take in the beauty, smell the flowers, pausing.... allowing nature to unfold in all her majesty.....

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Sarah Yesterday 02:16 PM 1 point
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that 's it! there is so much we miss. this moment doesn't have to be beautiful, easy, or even good, it might be incredibly messy. when we are In it, it means to me that i am able to give what the moment asks for from a place of love, rather than being lost in a story in my head about where i wish i could be, or what i wish this moment looked like instead.

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Linda Borland-Fitzgerald Yesterday 02:45 PM 1 point
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I don't think I know I'm not in the moment unless I start to feel anxious. Only then am I fully in the moment.. then I take very deep breaths or cry. Both work for me.

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Alison Yesterday 02:56 PM 1 point
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I've found that yesterday's question gets me present in the moment. "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" That lights a fire in my belly. When I think about it, I feel warm and determined, like I know exactly where to go. Fear can go away for good if that's a glance at my life without it.

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Elizabeth Yesterday 04:31 PM 1 point
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I ask myself "what is my purpose at this exact moment?" It helps stop the chatter in my head thinking about my to-do list or the future. Often times the purpose at the moment is simple, such as to be a safe driver or mindfully boil a pot of water, whatever it is that one question brings me into the present.

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Vanessa Rae 11/15/2008 09:36 AM 1 point
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I breathe deep and remind myself of my style statement: Natural Essence.

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