The Sacred Gift of This Moment
Mother Teresa once shared her wisdom: “Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.”
How often do we find ourselves ruminating about the future, trying to figure out the past, or not paying full attention to the person engaging with us? I've certainly been guilty of this. We are fully aware that the future is out of our control, and the past is already gone; what we have now is this moment. It is only in the "now" that life really happens.
We live in a world that's always on the go. So often, we feel this pressure from within ourselves or life to keep moving, keep doing, or keep thinking. Our days can be filled with endless tasks, plans, or looping thoughts, and in the rush, we sometimes forget the simple gift of just being present. This constant need to be busy can leave us feeling rushed, tired, unfulfilled, and drained.
A few days ago, I remembered when things moved much more slowly, and some beautiful memories appeared. What stayed with me the most is that these precious memories grew from simply being present to quietly embracing the sacred moment of life in the now. They were very simple moments like sitting under a tree and reading a book, taking a mindful walk, noticing my hurried thoughts, turning my anxieties into a prayer, or simply listening to the person in front of me. One memory stands out: sitting at home with my mum when I was younger and watching her. She was speaking with a neighbour going through a difficult time, and I remember observing how kind and gentle she was — truly one of the kindest people I knew.
The book of Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) states: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today.” This passage reminds me of today's sacredness, where we can love, encourage, and lift others up today, in this moment.
I know life gets busy, and there are things always to be done, but if we don't take the time to put our phones down, set aside our to-do lists for a while, and truly notice the moment we're in — whether through a wholesome conversation, being an empathetic listener, sharing a gentle smile or a laugh, being curious about the person beside us, or simply sitting with our thoughts — we risk missing it. These moments are fleeting, and once they pass, they're gone. Looking back, I may have missed moments of laughter, conversations, and quiet times of beauty, learning, and connection. But this is a gentle reminder to make space for the present moment. Life is short, and when we intentionally stay present — instead of dwelling on the ‘what-ifs’ of the future, regrets from the past, or everyday busyness, we create memories that remain.
Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century monk, in his book The Practice of the Presence of God, wrote: “We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work but the love with which it is performed.” Bro Lawrence found holiness in his daily, present tasks, which were washing dishes, which became his act of worship.
The reminder from the book of Hebrews, the words of Bro. Lawrence and the simplicity of Mother Teresa's wisdom remind us that the present moment is not to be lost or overlooked. When we slow down, fully surrender ourselves to this moment, and connect with the person with us, what comes next is that the ordinary moments can become extraordinarily powerful and reflective.
Here are some simple reminders of how to stay present in this moment:
Press Pause: Stop for 60 seconds, take some slow breaths. It helps to calm our racing thoughts. Give our full attention to this moment or the person you are talking to.
A Grateful Heart: Remember one thing you are thankful for right now.
Intentional Listening: In your next conversation, stay intentional by focusing completely on the person talking to you, without planning your reply, just interested.
Stay present, connected, and patient. Let's try not to rush to the next thing; let's slow down and calm our hearts and minds to embrace and enjoy this moment, whatever that is for you now. Life is here, gently happening in this moment.