I make my kids crazy with this tactic.  When I’ve given them a task and they ask when it’s supposed to be done, I respond with, “Right…”

Then pause for dramatic effect – “now.”

Sometimes they finish it with me.  There is almost always eye rolling, and unfortunately my delighted laughter is hardly ever appreciated.

I’ve started using this technique on myself as a form of mediation.  Deep breath in on the ‘right’ and a long, slow exhale on the ‘now.’  I use this to bring myself back to this moment.  The only one I can do a damn thing about.  My favorite Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh says “The present moment is the only moment available to us and it is the door to all other moments.”

Oh my gosh, I can’t even tell you how much I love this quote!  I love how we can touch both the past and the future, but only if we remember to stay in the present.  Perhaps we can even correct the mistakes of the past.  I think things come back around, giving us a chance to make a healing choice if we focused.  Plus the present is the only time we can plant seeds for the future.  I get all giddy just thinking about it!

When I find myself getting lost in the past or the future, I ask myself what is true right…(say it with me) now.  As Thay (this is Thich Nhat Hanh’s nichname, it means ‘teacher’) says, the past no longer exists, even though it still can cause suffering, but it can be repaired in the present moment if we offer the past our compassion.

And as far as the future is concerned?  “The future only exists in our minds.”  I don’t remember where I saw this quote, but it helps to ground me.  It reminds me there are too many variables to worry about the future.  How many times have I worried about things which never came to fruition?  Why waste my time and energy?

Besides, I have a lot to be thankful for right… now.