Learn to live in reality

    To a large extent, the gentleness in our hearts is about weighing whether we can live in the present moment. Regardless of what happened yesterday or last year, or what might or might not happen tomorrow, now you are—forever!

    Undoubtedly, many of us have mastered the neurotic art of worrying about all sorts of things in our lives—once. We let past and future issues dominate our present time, leading to our ultimate anxiety, frustration, depression, and despair. On the other hand, we postpone our satisfaction, our priorities, and our happiness, often convincing ourselves that "someday" will be better. Unfortunately, the same mental drive tells us that waiting for the future will only repeat itself, so "someday" will never truly arrive. John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens when we're busy making other plans." While we're busy making other plans, our children are busy growing, our loved ones are leaving, our bodies are out of shape, and our dreams are fading. In short, we miss life.

    For many, life is like a fashion rehearsal. Is it? Ultimately, no one can guarantee that he or she will be here tomorrow. The present moment is the only time we have, and the only time we can control. When we focus our attention on the here and now, we cast fear behind us. Fear is our concern about the future—that we won't have enough money, that our children will be poor, that we will grow old and die, whatever.

    The best strategy to overcome fear is to learn to bring your attention back to reality. Mark Twain said, "I have lived through some terrible things in life, some of them have actually happened." I don't think I could say anything better. Focus your attention on the here and now. Your happiness will be richly rewarded.