The Power of Now

By Karim Hajee
Excerpt from 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life


Do you ever catch yourself daydreaming or thinking about something that happened some time ago - or even something that may or may not happen in the future?

Chances are you're like most people and you regularly think about something that happened in the past or you're focused on something that could happen in the future.

When you you're thinking about the past or the future - you're not here - you're not living in the now.

When you're not living in the now you fail to utilize what I call the power of now - something that can dramatically improve your life in ways you never thought possible.

If you want to achieve success, happiness and live the life you want - start living in the now - be here now - by experiencing the present moment for the gift that it is.

The Past is Over, The Future Does Not Exist

We all live in the present moment but very few of us utilize the power of this very present moment.

Let's face it the only thing that exists is what is happening right now. The past does not exist - it's over with and should be nothing but a fading memory. The future does not exist - it simply hasn't happened yet.

Both the past and the future are only a part of your thoughts and memories - they only exist in your mind and not in reality.

The only thing that really exists right now is the very present moment that you live in and from this present moment you can draw tremendous power - the kind of power that can change your life and allow you to achieve your goals.

Now you may not like the present moment - but that's only because you're thinking about what you feel the present should be. You're comparing the present moment to something else and not appreciating what is happening right now.

Chances are you're either allowing your ego to dominate your present moment, or you're focusing on mistakes of the past, or your consumed with the future that you're forgetting to live in the present moment.

I know some of you may say: "Karim, right now I don't have a job and the bank is about to foreclose. Plus my wife/husband just left me and I'm stuck with 3 kids. My present is not exactly pleasant." If you're present or current situation is not pleasant then you are comparing it to something else - you're probably thinking about what the now should be instead of dealing with what is going on.

If you don't have a job then it's time to look for one. I know you're probably looking for work but don't focus on the fact that you don't have a job, don't focus on how difficult it may seem to get a job, simply concentrate on going out and getting a job. This is the process of doing what has to be done now and not worrying about the way things should be.

At the end of the day - see where you are and focus on what needs to be done next.

If your children need attention right now - then give them attention. If you need to go out and look for work right now then do it. Don't compare your present situation to anything - accept what it is and make the most of it with the intention of making the present better with each step that you take.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying accept your present situation and don't do anything to improve it. I'm saying deal with your present situation and do everything you can to improve your life.

When you begin working on the present moment with the intent of improving your life you begin to utilize the power of now - you leave the past in the past, you don't concentrate on the future and instead you start living in the present moment doing everything that you can to improve your life now.

When you do this you send a powerful message to your subconscious mind. You tell your subconscious that you are here now and ready to get to work to improve your life. It then begins working for you because your subconscious only understands the present moment - your subconscious does not understand the future or the past - your subconscious only lives in the now - in the present moment.

Now I know this concept is easy to understand but the challenge is in applying it. While many of you will be able to grasp and understand the concept of living in the now and working with the power of the present moment - practicing it is quite another thing.

To start working with the power of now you have to get your mind to work differently - you have to get your mind to simply focus on what is happening and what needs to be done right now. No more comparing or hoping for things to get better. Just deal with what is and what has to be done.

When you do this you start moving forward and you allow your subconscious mind to help you achieve your goal because you are here now - working with your subconscious to create the situations that you want.

The Present is All That Exists

You may have memories, you may have feelings when you think about the past, you may worry about the future - but let's face it the past no longer exists. You can't step back in time and go into the past. The past is done with. It doesn't exist.

You can't step into the future and see what happens - despite what so called psychics and astrologers say - there is now way of seeing the future or living in the future. It hasn't happened - one day that future will arrive and if you're not paying attention - if you're too focused on the past or still worrying about the future - you'll miss it completely.

The only thing that is taking place right now is the present moment. As you read this article - that's all that you are doing. When you are done the moment that you are currently experiencing will never happen again! The now will never happen again! Your present moment will never happen again!

Even when you think about the past - you think about it in the present moment. You don't physically go back in time and remember the past. You only remember the past in this present moment.

When you think about the future you do it in the present moment - not in the future.

When you think about the past and the future you are wasting the valuable time and power that you have in the present moment.

The only reason people are unhappy is because they fail to live in the present moment, they fail to embrace the now. Instead, they often think about what their present moment should be and allow their ego to dominate them - thus the unhappiness sets in.

It is impossible to have a problem and live in the present moment at the same time. When you live in the present moment your attention is completely focused on what is happening at that very moment. There are no thoughts of the future or the past. If you are at work - focus on work. If you are at home - focus on the home. If you are with friends - focus on your friends.

When you do this your subconscious mind is released and free to start working on improving your life.

When you are focused on the past or worried about the future - the subconscious is lost in confusion. It doesn't know what you want and is forced to go from present to past and present to future without being given the time or ability to create the situations you need to improve your life in the present moment.You never allow your subconscious to function in the present moment - which is the only place that it can work.

Focus on the present moment. Allow your subconscious mind to work for you everyday - by working with the power of the present moment.

Many of you may be seeking answers, trying to make decisions or just hoping to discover a passion that you can follow. All of these answers come when you live in the now - when you are focused on the present moment you will receive your answers. You can't step back into the past or step into the future to receive these answers, they only come in the present moment.

But if you're focused on the past or consumed with the future then when the answer arrives you'll miss it. Why? Because you were not living in the present moment - this is where you can receive the answer.

If you want to start directing your subconscious mind and if you want to stop living in the past and start living in the now then you need to take control of your mind and subconscious mind and begin creating the life you want.

How To Live In The Now

If you're ready to start living in the now and begin creating the life that you want then take a look at your present situation and ask yourself what's wrong with the very moment you are in.

Don't think about what happened yesterday or sometime in the past. Don't focus on what might or might not happen tomorrow. Take a look at the very moment you are in not 5 minutes from now - and see if there is anything wrong. If you are at home - is there something wrong?

Don't say you are out of work - that's not the present moment because you are looking at what is not happening.

I want you to focus your mind on what is happening - then see what is wrong with that picture.

You should find nothing wrong with the present moment - it is what it is - and once you accept it - you can start living again.

Let's face it you can't turn your mind off - but you can get it to work differently and that's what you should start doing.

Because if you don't take control of your mind your mind will control you - and that's not going to help you improve your life.

Ask yourself these next questions: Do you find yourself waiting for something to happen? Are you waiting to get some more time? Make more money? Meet the right person? Are you waiting for the right opportunity?

Waiting is another game the mind plays because it doesn't want to live in the present moment.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions then you're not living in the present moment - you are focusing on anything but the present moment. I know you can't focus on the present moment or live in the now 24 hours a day. But start by doing this for a few minutes a day and then continue expanding the exercise everyday. Then track your progress. See how you feel when you only focus on what is happening right now. As you continually do this you'll see yourself starting to enjoy the process.

Here's a suggestion. The next time you are driving or walking pay attention only to what is happening around you. Listen to the sounds, observe the people. Don't think about what you have to do or what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow or what might happen in five minutes. Focus your attention only on what is happening right now. Doing this will get your mind to start living in the present moment and before you know it you'll be able to focus your mind and utilize the power of now.

Start utilizing the power of now - you'll be more focused and you'll enjoy the present moment. Best of all you'll start moving toward achieving your goals and living the life you want.

Have Some Fun!

Remember to have some fun. Enjoy life. Do things differently. Act like a kid when you can - kids are always living in the now - that's all they know. Forget about your troubles and just do something completely different - and have some fun. Once you start doing this you'll see things begin to fall into place. If you have a passion for sports then start playing a sport you like. If you have a passion for cooking - make a meal or two over the next couple of days. Do what you enjoy and you'll start attracting more positive situations into you life.