At the beginning of every yoga class, we set an intention.  My intention is always to stay present during my practice.  I try, try, try to stay on the mat and not let my mind wander.  And always, at some point during my practice it happens, my mind wanders...to something that happened earlier in the day, what i'm going to have for dinner, what i need to do after class...you get the idea.

It is work to stay present.  And if I have a hard time doing it for 2 hours on the mat then staying in the moment the other 22 hours in the day...well that's almost impossible...at least it is for me.

I don't know about you, but I have to work to stay in the present.  I have to stop my mind from wandering, from thinking too far into the future and bring myself back to the here and now.  I want to be able to be fully present at all times and enjoy each moment for what it is because really we are only guaranteed this moment.

I don't want to put off until tomorrow what I could do today.  I've done that...I've put things off because it wasn't the perfect time, but I'm not willing to do that anymore.  Whether its age or life experiences or loss that has brought me to this realization, I'm not sure.  I do know that I am living more fully in the present these days and hopefully, soon, it will be easier to do so.

Why is it so hard to stay in the present moment?  Why is it easier to put things off until the ever elusive 'perfect' time.  Is there really such a thing?

I have a feeling this is not the last time I will write about this subject...see already looking ahead and not staying 'in the moment'!