3/20/05: Living in the moment

Many of us think living in the moment means ignoring the future. Or more accurately, the future consequences of our actions.

Living in the moment does not give you free reign to do whatever you feel like doing without being accountable. You cannot excuse damaging behavior by claiming you were “living in the moment,” and therefore it is ok. “Living in the moment” is not an automatic spiritual pardoning for an unspiritual action.

When you are truly living in the moment, you are well aware of your actions and their consequences. When you are truly living in the moment, you act out of integrity, conviction and awareness.

Getting swept away by our emotions in the heat of the moment and acting solely upon them is not a sign of living in the moment. It is a sign of reacting in the moment. We are reacting from our emotions as the center. Truly living in the moment means we are acting from our soul as the center.

The soul is always aware and never gets carried away by emotions, doubts or fears. It may feel tremendous emotion, but it remains grounded and acts on instinct based on truth, awareness and wisdom.

When you act out of truth, awareness, integrity and wisdom in any given moment, the consequences will always be good.

This is the true meaning of living in the moment.