When we live on autopilot – constantly worrying about the future or dwelling on the past – we miss what’s happening right in front of us. This habit can lead to stress, anxiety and disconnection from ourselves and others. It is thought that we remain in the past so much to try and make sense of events that we have experienced, to learn from them, to figure out why something happened and maybe even prevent it happening again. This thought pattern is only healthy for a limited time and then we must move on. Reliving our past prevents us from experiencing the present.

 Have you ever noticed that you have moved through life without any awareness? Driving habitually: arriving at the supermarket without any recollection of how you got there? Or drinking a cup of tea but don’t remember making it? These are examples of not being in the present, your mind has wandered away from the here and now and settled elsewhere. The past can teach us, shape us and give us beautiful (or painful) stories. But it is , at its core, a collection of memories. It no longer exists in the present world – only in our minds. Yes, you’ve been through things. Yes, they matter. But if you’re always reliving yesterday, you’re missing the life that’s happening today. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting; it means releasing the hold the past has on your current peace.

  Joe Dispenza makes a valid point about our thoughts of the future when he talks about how our forecast of what might happen can only possibly be based on past events. You cannot predict a completely new occurrence. Everything you worry about is born from already acquired knowledge. Planning is helpful. Dreaming is natural. But worrying about what hasn’t happened yet robs you of the calm that’s available now. The future is made up of moments that haven’t arrived. You cannot control them. You can’t live in them. When you fixate on what’s next, you live in anxiety. When you come back to now, you find your power. This moment is the only place you can act, choose, breathe and begin. You worry you may loose your job, this is a possibility because it has happened before, not necessarily to you but definitely to others. You want to visit the zoo, you are concerned that you can’t afford it as there will be an entry fee, this is a norm within society, therefore your prior knowledge alerted you to the fact that you need money to go to the zoo. We cannot predict an entirely new outcome by drawing reference from the past.

 The only real time is the present, the past is over and the future cannot be predicted. So why are we allowing ourselves to miss out on real time? You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.Now I’m not going to pretend that I have this sussed, I am a self- confessed over thinker, I analyse the past all the time and panic about a terrifying future that my overactive brain has constructed during so much of my wasted time. Common sense would say just don’t listen to my ever blethering brain, but it is soooo hard to do this. It takes practice and lots of patience.

 Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally bringing your attention to the present moment – without judgement. It’s about tuning into your senses, thought and emotions and fully experiencing what’s happening right now. This is how we drown out the infernal chatter. We must focus on our immediate experiences – our breath, the touch of our clothes on our skin, sounds around us. It is important to understand that this is a practice, in other words, it is an exercise, something that requires effort. There must be an acceptance that the mind will wander, it is perfectly natural for it to do so, we recognise that focus has been lost and bring it back to the present passively. If an internal judgement exists, if self-criticism and frustration sneak in, the brain has not remained in the present but is again caught up in the past. Simply notice that you have wandered and calmly refocus.

Mindfulness is not about being in the ultimate serene location or creating an alter or space specifically dedicated to the practice, that is meditation. Mindfulness is about awareness within daily life, it can be used to process your emotions during a difficult time or for stress management, it increases self-awareness. You can focus on your breath – how the body moves as you inhale and exhale, take a few deep breaths and feel the air moving in and out. Your breath is always with you- it’s the easiest anchor to the present moment. It can be done while you are on the bus or washing the dishes. Grounding yourself physically helps bring your mind into the now too. Bring attention to your body, what do you feel in your feet, hands or shoulders? Or try focusing on one thing at a time. Whether you’re eating, walking or shopping, do it with full awareness. Notice textures, smells, sounds and movements. Set a daily reminder to pause and ask : “Where am I right now?” What do I feel?” This mini check in can reset your awareness and bring you back to centre.

 The next time you feel overwhelmed, pause for few seconds. Notice how you feel. That pause can shift your entire response and allow more thoughtful, calm action. We spend much of our lives replaying the past or rehearsing for the future. Our minds wander through memories, regrets, what-if’s and what’s nexts. But in doing so, we often overlook the only moment we truly have – right now. The present moment is where life actually happens. The past is unchangeable. The future is unpredictable. But the now – this breath, this heartbeat, this feeling – is real, tangible and alive. You are not your past. You are not your future. You are this breath, this feeling, this heartbeat. That’s where your life is. That’s where your peace is.

Try taking just 5 minutes today to sit quietly, breathe and simply be. Let the present moment unfold – without needing to change anything. You might be surprised how powerful it feels just to be here, now.

Right now, is all there ever truly is.