How A Google Photos Notification Forced Me To Live In The Now #5MinMotivation

leo-tolstoy-quote

We are always running to the next task, event or responsibility we need to get to.  Our minds are constantly turning, and it becomes easy to forget to live in the now.  You get caught up thinking about your next “todo” without focusing on your current “doing”.

We constantly get bombarded daily with instant notifications, so when I get them, I tend to dismiss them without any thought.  During this particular moment, I was catching up on some work emails, while making supper and helping my son with his homework.  For some reason, one notification peaked my interest enough to grab my attention through my mind clutter.

It was a Google Photos notification entitled, “Oh how fast they grow”.

Curious, I clicked the notification and a video popped up.  Google had sent me one of those cute, “stalkerish” things and created a video of my sons throughout the years.    When I watched the video, I couldn’t help but stop everything I was doing.  I just simply enjoyed the video.  I must have played it 10 times.

“Mindfulness isn’t difficult; we just need to remember to do it.” – Sharon Salzberg

Appropriately titled, “Oh how fast they grow”, it made me realize how fast my sons are growing.

You can easily become so enthralled in the planning for the future or get sidetracked by unimportant distraction.

That’s how you miss the present and not appreciate the power of living in the moment.  After watching the video and sharing it with my sons, I stopped with the emails and gave my son my full attention.

What needs you full attention this week?

Here are some other powerful quotes to help you live in the moment:

“Life is available only in the present moment.  If you abandon the present moment, you cannot live the moments of your daily life deeply.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“When you are here and now, sitting totally, not jumping ahead, the miracle has happened.  To be in the moment is the miracle.” – Osho

“You’ll seldom experience regret for anything that you’ve done.  It is what you haven’t done that will torment you.  The message, therefore, is clear.  Do it!  Develop an appreciation for the present moment.  Seize every second of your life and savor it.  Value your present moments.  Using them up in any self-defeating ways means you’ve lost them forever.”  – Wayne Dyer

Our lives can get pretty hectic and it can be easy to get lost in our actions. When we are so focused on what is ahead, we forget to pause, reflect and find ways to energize our minds. These 5-minute motivation posts are meant to give you that recharge. The goal is to give you a 5-minute Vitamin for your mind through quotes, posts and videos. It is also meant to challenge your thinking and inspire you to take action.