Finding Peace in the Present
Do you long for more peace in your life? If so, cultivating the habit of returning to the present moment can be transformative. While this principle is ancient and familiar—expressed in phrases like “Be here now”—we often struggle to put it into practice.
Consider the words of these sages:
“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
— Jesus
“Stop allowing your mind to be a slave, jerked about by selfish impulses, resisting fate, and mistrusting the future.”
— Marcus Aurelius
The core message is simple: resisting what we cannot control creates suffering. And the two places where we absolutely cannot exist are the past and the future. Yet, for many of us—myself included—it’s tempting to dwell on what was or worry about what will be.
The Power of the Present
Peace arises when the mind and body align in the present moment. It’s the only place we can be. That’s why focusing on now helps us feel grounded, at ease, and at home. There’s nothing to accomplish in this moment, nothing to prove—we simply are. And in the present, we are enough.
Most psychological distress stems from our minds wandering to the past or future. Sometimes, we even attempt both at once!
I can’t believe I acted that way! (past)
I don’t think anyone will forgive me. (future)
What if everything falls apart? (future)
I shouldn’t have let this happen. (past)
If only they had treated me better. (past)
This will only get worse. (future)
These thoughts are common, yet they sabotage our peace. When we allow them to dominate our minds, it can feel like our soul is being torn apart. We might call this experience anxiety or depression.
As one popular quote—often attributed to Lao Tzu—states:
“If you are depressed, you are living in the past.
If you are anxious, you are living in the future.
If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”
Though a bit overly simplistic, it raises an important question: What does it mean to live in the present?
Four Keys to Present-Moment Living
Awareness
The first step is learning to notice the present moment. This includes your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and surroundings. Engage your five senses. Observe without judgment—just notice. Practices like meditation and contemplative prayer can help cultivate this awareness.Surrender
We cannot be all things to all people, nor can we control everything. Some days, even making the bed feels like a challenge. Surrender means accepting our limitations and recognizing that we are part of something larger than ourselves. It allows us to embrace our wonderfully imperfect selves.Gratitude
Gratitude anchors us in the present. What you have, you have now—you don’t need to chase anything else to find fulfillment. Focusing on life’s blessings, big and small, fosters abundance instead of scarcity. When we recognize that we have enough, we relax. When we fixate on what’s missing, we trigger survival mode—fight, flight, or frantic fixing.Loving Action
Living in the present isn’t just about slowing down to smell the flowers—though you should do that! It’s also about responding with love in each moment. Instead of reacting impulsively, we pause to consider how our actions affect ourselves and others. We prioritize service, patience, and grace. True presence allows us to speak our truth with compassion rather than control.
A Simple Challenge
What is one way you can practice living in the present today?
Happy to be in your corner,
Tom Page, LCPC
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