Seize the Moment: The Importance of Cherishing the Present

The Inevitability of Change

There will come a day when you’ll wish you were back in the present moment, appreciating the life you have right now. As circumstances change and time moves forward, it’s essential to recognize and embrace the simple joys in life.

“The only constant in life is change.”

Heraclitus

Cherishing Time

My health fluctuates, and it’s possible that next week I might feel better or worse than I do today. However, one thing is certain: my health will never be as good as it is right now, and I’ll never be 50 years old again. Time marches on, and we must learn to cherish the present while we can.

A Poignant Reminder

A story shared by Audra, someone I’ve gotten to know through a podcast, reminds us of the importance of appreciating the present moment. With her permission, I’d like to recount her tale.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”

Bil Keane

The Power of the Present

One day, Audra was driving past a park with her child when her daughter asked if they could stop and play. Audra replied that they didn’t have time. This simple story holds a powerful message: the moments we let slip away can never be recovered.

Cultivating Resilience and Empathy

The greatest quotes resonate with us because they remind us of the significance of our experiences and the importance of living fully in the present. Embracing the awareness of our existence and appreciating each moment’s preciousness can lead to a happiness that is both deep and transformative.

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

Abraham Lincoln

Finding Joy in Shared Experiences

This understanding doesn’t mean we’ll be exempt from suffering or challenges in life. However, it does mean that we can cultivate resilience and empathy. We may feel pain more intensely, not just for ourselves but also for our loved ones and even strangers. This deeper connection to the collective suffering of humanity can be both painful and freeing, as it allows us to find joy in our shared experiences.

Seizing Opportunities

In conclusion, it’s essential to seize the opportunities to enjoy the simple things in life – not material items like a childhood teddy bear or a favorite sweater, but the fleeting moments of joy and connection we often overlook.

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

Robert Brault

A Commitment to Cherish the Present

Next time I go for a drive to a meeting in my wheelchair, I plan to leave a few minutes early and pause by the gate that overlooks a field. I’ll take a few moments to watch the rabbits play because Audra’s story serves as a reminder that we must seize the opportunities right in front of us while we still can.

portrait photo of Steven Webb in a checked shirt and yellow top

About Steven Webb
Steven Webb is a Zen Buddhist meditation teacher, former Mayor of Truro, and host of the Stillness in the Storms and Inner Peace Meditations podcasts. Paralysed at 18 and reborn through a “dark night of the soul” at 40, he now guides millions worldwide (including one of Insight Timer’s most popular sleep practices) to find peace without perfection. By day, he’s a Truro City Councillor and Lib Dem candidate, advocating for dignity-first policies and community energy projects. Oh, and he once towed a replica helicopter 500 miles in his wheelchair to fundraise for Cornwall Air Ambulance.

“The breath knows how to breathe. Our job? Just allow it.”

A man sat enjoying some peace and quiet

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Weekly Calm is my weekly newsletter with links to my latest podcast episode, guided meditations and a little bit about me. Working on the weekly part, mostly couple times a month.