Three States of Living

Give yourself a pat on the back and a big congratulations for finishing another school year, work year or whatever stage of life you may be in. As one chapter closes, it’s normal to reflect on your experiences and overall well-being.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this year, it’s the importance of presence. After experiencing a plethora of ups and downs, you come to realize that, sometimes, there is only so much you can control. Some things, on the other hand, are just not in our control, like if your internship application will make it through to the second round or the exact grade you’ll get on the exam for which you studied for hours. 

There are a vast array of self help books that discuss the importance of being in the present moment. It’s been said that all we have is the present moment, and it’s really true. The past is gone, the future isn’t here, and so here and now is all we have. 

“Life is now. There was never a time when your life was not now, nor will there ever be” — Ekhart Tole

But, presence can be easier said than done. It’s easy to miss out on the present moment when you’re in some amount of pain, like if you’re suffering in a relationship or at work. Instead of fighting your emotion, practice feeling it and then letting go. Know that emotions are temporary, and you have the power to redirect your mental energy. By getting lost in past experiences or future worries, we miss out on the beauty of the present moment. 

Some ways to practice mindfulness are guided meditation, journaling, connecting with nature and breathing, among other practices. If you feel your mind begin to wander to the past or future, redirect it to the present moment and know that worrying nearly never accomplishes anything positive. 

Living in the moment — also called mindfulness — is a state of active, open, intentional attention to the present. “When you become mindful, you realize that you are not your thoughts; you become an observer of your thoughts from moment to moment without judging them. Mindfulness involves being with your thoughts as they are, neither grasping at them nor pushing them away. Instead of letting your life go by without living it, you awaken to experience,” according to Psychology Today. 

To the college students approaching their last few days of the school year, cherish these moments and remember that life is a beautiful gift in which we’re blessed to experience.