Day 203 Y25 Thought of the Day_Being Present

This moment is all there is.

Rumi

I was thinking about how I’ve been spending my time lately when I came across this quote.

I recently decided to purchase an iPad. I wanted to switch to a basic phone so I wouldn’t be so attached to my smartphone. I miss the good old days of using a flip phone just for texting and calling, without all the distractions of modern technology.

I rely on doing most things digitally so I knew it won’t be easy. I thought if I could do my online tasks on a separate device—one that I don’t carry with me all the time and can set aside while I’m working—it might help reduce my screen time. I also enjoy playing a few mobile games to unwind at the end of the day or take breaks during work. It was a nice perk to have them on a larger screen.

The plan backfired for several reasons. Now I have two sources of digital distraction—and three if you count my work laptop—that I have to manage. It has only been a week, but I hope to find a balance that allows for reduced screen time while still maintaining my effectiveness in daily life, as I originally intended.

Digital gadgets are just one of the many forms of distractions that steal our attention from the present. Thankfully, it is easily addressed with self-discipline.

What about other things that keep us from being fully present?

We dedicate so much time to our daily grind at work, driven by the desire to perform well and succeed. As a result, we often sacrifice quality time with our loved ones. Even when we’re physically present with them, our minds may still be preoccupied with work-related concerns.

What about worrying? We spend so much mental and emotional energy being anxious about the future that we forget to live in the moment. We miss out on the small wonders that each day brings.

What about regrets? We often spend a lot of time dwelling on past mistakes or the things we didn’t do but wish we had. This not only prevents us from learning from those experiences but also keeps us from enjoying the simple joys of being present.

Everything in our lives is fleeting. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come. We only have today.

What today looks like is up to us. Some days are simply harder to endure, while on others, we breathe more easily. This is the blessing of every moment in each day.