In the moment

Along similar lines, both Zen Buddhists and Stoics think it important for us to strive to stay "in the moment." People tend to spend their days and consequently their lives as well dwelling on things that happened in past moments and worrying about things that will happen in future moments. As a result, there is little time left for them to savor the moment they currently are living. If we are to have a good life, it is important, says Stoic Marcus Aurelius, for us to keep in mind that "man lives only in the present, in this fleeting instant."

But how many of us can really do that?  I think about my life and the things I do ... how often is your own evening spent "getting ready for tomorrow"?  I do try to balance that with doing something for myself as well, but it can be difficult - there are so many needs we each have to meet on a day to day basis.

Then there are the other types of distractions -- TV, internet, phone calls, friends.
So how do you live 'in the moment' and get the most out of it?

Dance like nobody's watching. While you may or may not like dancing, no matter who's not watching, the idea embodied in those 4 words sums the entire experience of living in the moment.

Take notice of the world.  No matter what you're doing, notice the moments that surround you. Maybe on your way to work or school, you go over a beautiful bridge, or you get a view of the sunrise behind the city buildings.

Focus on whatever you're doing. Even if you're just walking, or wiping the counter, or shuffling cards—how does it feel?

Smile when you wake up.  How easy is that?

Commit random, spontaneous acts of kindness. Whether it's donating 1 dollar to a fund at the pharmacy, picking up litter, or helping victims of natural disasters, keep alert in every moment of your day for some way in which you can make the world a better place. Even the smallest thing, like complimenting someone, can bring joy.

Minimize activities that dull your awareness of the moment. What are you doing that tempts your mind to run away from the present? For most people, watching television puts you in a passive state of mind, and time slips right by. Daydreaming and getting lost in a good movie or book isn't bad, but it's not living in the moment because it places your concentration on something that isn't right here, right now; it's a form of escapism.

Be thankful for what is. When you find yourself wishing for something you don't have, or wishing your life would be different, start your quest for your wish by being thankful for what is already in your life. This will bring you back to the present moment.

Do not dwell in the past, 

do not dream of the future, 

concentrate the mind on the present moment.  

Buddha