What if you can’t remember your past because you never actually made memories? Is that worse than making them and then forgetting them?

I wonder who will tell this present when it becomes the past? Will future grandparents have stories that start with “I remember when I was your age…?”

I don’t know the answer to that but I do know these things to be true.

• I can’t go back and live the past because it’s gone. Poof! Doesn’t exist.
• And I can’t live in the future because it doesn’t exist yet.
• The only thing that does exist is the present.

So, if I’m not existing in the present, do I exist at all?

For many people, the thought of living in the moment doesn’t even cross their minds. They simply aren’t able to focus on what matters now.

Our brains need to slow down to allow careful encoding of what is going on. Our attention becomes scarce when were overloaded in the present moment. It is these memories that are compromised. They get misfiled, or never encoded, amounting to a sketchy past or no real vivid memories.

Here are some tips to help you live in the moment, and thrive in the here and now.

Appreciate the world around you.

Pay close attention to the world around you. The next time you’re tackling a chore or running an errand, take a moment to enjoy all of the sights and sounds around you. Appreciate everything the world has to offer. Soak it all up.

Stop multi-tasking.

Quit trying to squeeze as many things as possible into every waking moment. Just do one thing at a time. Try not to multi-task. It just stops you from focusing on the task at hand. Even something as simple as walking or doing the dishes is an opportunity to live in the moment.

Take worry out of the equation.

You won’t be able to enjoy the moment if you’re busy worrying about every moment surrounding it. So, stop worrying about what tomorrow is going to bring. Use your energy to connect with others today.

Remember life is a marathon, not a race.

Live life minute-by-minute. It’s not a race, but a marathon. Make each action you take, each thought you think deliberate and never rushed.

Go slow and steady your pace. Live your life. Don’t let it pass you by.

Never underestimate the importance of doing absolutely NOTHING.

There are times when doing absolutely nothing can work wonders for your state of mind. Give yourself a few minutes each day to enjoy the silence and let everything else around you fade away. Slow your mind, let go of the stress, and just BE.

Try these things for the next several months. Notice how your focus and attention improves. Notice what happens in your relationships. Notice what happens to your thoughts and emotions. Notice yourself in the present. Make memories you can share with others in the future.