20 quotes about living in the present (while celebrating the past)

My photo editing program had a full memory. No more work could be done until I addressed the problem. There was no mass deletion of old photos. They had to be checked one by one. Over a decade of photos.

I had to scroll through countless “old” photos, every time I began a new project. It felt tedious until I noticed something profound. This collection was an anthology. A collection of short stories from my very own life. In color.

Living in the present requires presence

What a privilege to remember these memories. What a privilege to have LIVED these moments. Many aren’t so fortunate. This is my life! These are the chapters of my story.

Humbling, it felt holy somehow. A shared space of hush, remembering with God how He brought me through each season. How much joy he gifted me with. He drew me near to see things through the lens of His love.

Focus on the present for a life well lived

Living in the present while celebrating the past allowed me to archive my history. It gives me a clear slate to embrace what IS to come, without having to wade through what WAS first. How fleeting our days are.

May we remember to ask God to align our lives with his will. That we might not waste our days. May He nudge us to order our steps.

If I were younger these thoughts would be foreign to me. It is only with the passage of time can there be an overview. This is where the observation leads to a deeper celebration.

Seize the day- one moment at a time

Remember film thumbnails? That little index sheet we received with our photos back from the lab?

This was, in effect, the most precious of indicators of a life well lived. This unexpected detour only enhances my joy to head into the new year with awe and reverence.

Spending those hours deleting my files was laborious, to be sure. But it became deeply meaningful. This was my one and only life. The big picture God sees? We miss it in real-time.

Psalm 119:33a  Order my steps (KJV)

Today, was an emotional gift of remembrance. And a powerful reminder of what can “be”. I want the rest of my life to focus more on joyful anticipation, versus lamenting about things out of my control. To shine brightly as an ambassador of God’s love.

 

20 quotes about living in the moment

This process was so powerful, it encouraged me to collect passages that would remind me to keep living in the present. To celebrate the past without living there, ya know?

Today is precious, enjoy the little things, and celebrate the ordinary!

Here they are, and you can download a free copy here. Enjoy!

1. “Be present. Make love. Make tea. Avoid small talk. Embrace conversation. Buy a plant, water it. Make your bed. Make someone else’s bed. Have a smart mouth, and quick wit. Run. Make art. Create. Swim in the ocean. Swim in the rain. Take chances. Ask questions. Make mistakes. Learn. Know your worth. Love fiercely. Forgive quickly. Let go of what doesn’t make you happy. Grow.”    – Paulo Coelho
2. “What day is it?” “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. “My favourite Day,” said Pooh – Piglet & Winnie the Pooh
3. “If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do love prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present…Gratefully.” – Maya Angelou
4. “Live in the present and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.” – Ida Scott Taylor
5. “The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away days waiting for better ones ahead.” – Marjorie Pay Hinckley
6. “You do not find a happy life. You make it.” – Camilla Eyring Kimball
7. “Forever is composed of nows.” – Emily Dickinson
8. “If we can be present to the moment with the person that we happen to be with at the moment, that’s what’s important.” – Fred Rogers
9. “Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time — past and future — the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.” ― Eckhart Tolle
10. “Every instant of our lives is essentially irreplaceable: you must know this in order to concentrate on life.”
    ― André Gide
11. “Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.” – Earl Nightingale
12. “ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:8-9
13. “The secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life, and in elevating them to art.” -William Morris 
14. “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
15. “Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.” – Will Rogers
16. “It’s about living in the moment and appreciating the smallest things. Surrounding yourself with the things that inspire you and letting go of the obsessions that want to take over your mind. It is a daily struggle sometimes and hard work, but happiness begins with your own attitude and how you look at the world.” – Gretchen Rubin
17. “The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.”- Louisa May Alcott
18. “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis
19. “The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.”– Thomas Paine
20. “Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” ― Mary Oliver

A few favorites to embrace life

• Life in Season: Celebrate the Moments That Fill Your Heart & Home
• Bella Grace magazine (check out their annual Book of Lists or Cozy issues)

• Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life

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