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Every man dies. Not every man really lives (William Wallace).
Some of us ‘die’ before we are buried. How do you remind yourself to truly ‘live’ as life can thoughtlessly slip by?
I believe it starts by being mindful – present in the moment and living the saying carpe diem … everyday!
We may be ‘here’, but our attention is elsewhere. Are our heads and feet in the same place?
The vortex of past and future syndrome thinking will begin to dominate our thoughts unless we are intentional in not allowing it to taint our presence.
The golden rule for your mind is to focus attention on what’s important. Holding that attention is easier said than done. A Harvard study mentioned that 47% of people’s minds are not where their feet are. They endorsed this fact by mentioning that the average user is distracted by their cellphone, touching it 2617 times a day. Should you consider yourself better than average, you will touch it 5 400 times a day!
Holding your attention to what’s important may also succumb to the protective mechanism of your primitive brain as it feeds your doubts, fears and insecurities, which can cause you to wish away chunks of your life. Surely there is more to life than wishing it away?
Gratitude and knowing what brings you joy can centre you in the now, today, being alive and present in the moment.
Alternatively, is the best way to ensure we cultivate a mindset for living in the now, to think about death, and by not having any regrets?
… Are your head and feet in the same place right now?
You may find some comfort in knowing that you are not merely going through life but mindfully growing through it … until it’s over.

I am the author of Leading Self and Others (how to make a difference where you are with what you’ve got) and Teaming with ideas (life lessons in teams- from business, sport and parkrun). You can contact me here.