“There is nothing else than now. There is neither yesterday, certainly, nor is there any tomorrow. How old must you be before you know that?” Ernest Hemingway’s words pierce through the fog of our everyday lives, reminding us of the profound truth that the present moment is all we truly have. Andrew Brodsky’s personal journey vividly illustrates just how easily we can lose sight of this truth and the transformative power of reclaiming it.
Brodsky found himself caught in a cycle of distraction and discontent. On that fateful Wednesday afternoon, he was buried in work at a coffee shop, constantly checking his email and scrolling through Facebook, seeking something—anything—to ease his restlessness. Despite having a life many would envy, with a loving family, good health, and a comfortable home, he was consumed by a “vague cloud of irritation and impatience and stress.” His conversation with his wife, Lisa, was a wake – up call. When he complained about his dissatisfaction, expecting sympathy, Lisa’s blunt response made him question his perception of happiness.
During their family trip to northern Idaho, Brodsky initially couldn’t shake that feeling of unease, even in the idyllic setting. It was then that he realized the root cause: fear. He was afraid to be fully present, whether at work or on vacation. The fear of facing the present moment, of finding it lacking, had been holding him back. But when he confronted that fear head – on, he discovered that the present was not empty but brimming with life. The smells, sounds, and experiences of the moment became a rich tapestry that he had been ignoring.
This realization led Brodsky to understand that he had been dissociating from the present his entire life, a habit formed as a coping mechanism during difficult times in his past. Lisa had seen through his facade, and he finally understood that he needed to embrace the present to truly live a happy life.
Changing a lifetime of mental habits is no small feat, but Brodsky offers several practical tips to help us on the journey to living in the moment. First, we must learn to look inward for reinforcement instead of seeking it externally. When stress or anxiety strikes, those quick fixes like checking emails or reading news blurbs are just distractions that pull us away from the present. True peace and contentment come from within, and we have the power to access those resources at any time.
Controlling our information stream is another crucial step. In today’s digital age, we’re bombarded with information from all sides. Limiting our news consumption and regulating our use of social media can prevent us from feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. While these platforms can be great for staying in touch, overuse can have the opposite effect.
Writing down our goals and then “throwing them away” might seem counterintuitive, but it’s a powerful way to stay present. Goals are important for giving direction, but the real joy lies in the journey, in the daily efforts we make towards them. By letting go of our fixation on the future outcome, we can fully engage in the present process.
Embracing gratitude is a tried – and – true method for grounding ourselves in the now. Taking a few moments each day to list five things we’re grateful for can shift our perspective and combat anxiety. Acts of kindness and volunteering further enhance this feeling, as they help us focus on others and appreciate the present moment in a more meaningful way.
Finally, practicing mindfulness is essential. Whether it’s through meditation, running, or any other activity that helps us quiet our minds, developing a regular mindfulness habit allows us to become more attuned to the present. It’s about finding what works for us and making it a part of our daily routine.
Living in the present moment can be intimidating. It requires us to let go of our worries about the future and our regrets about the past. But as Brodsky discovered, it’s a brave and rewarding choice. When we take that plunge and fully embrace the now, we unlock the true richness of life, finding happiness not in some distant future but in the here and now.
