Be Here, Now

“Tomorrow is tomorrow.

Future cares have future cures,

And we must mind today.”

— Sophocles, Antigone

Along the Po River (Torino, Italy)

It is simple to get caught up in the endless ebb and flow of responsibility and obligation, to set one's gaze on some distant outcome, place, accomplishment, or circumstance and—consciously or not—evade spending time in the here and now. While an orientation to the future allows one to think (and overthink), plan (and over-plan) and prepare (and over-prepare), it also draws attention away from the present and effectively reduces experiences to actions, and details to blurs. In my opinion, the worst part about this affliction is that it is generally subconscious; one certainly does not aim to spend their entire commute thinking about what comes next (Did they remember to respond to that email? What movie should they watch tonight? Should they make spaghetti al pomodoro or pesto gnocchi for dinner?), but by the time they reach their destination, the details of their journey are already fading from their mind, such that it feels as though they teleported from one place to the next. I am trying to learn how to avoid living passively so that I may make the most of my experiences, even those that are ostensibly mundane.

I named this conundrum "accidental autopilot," succinctly described as a disconnect between the mind and body. Accidental autopilot is at play when you wash all of the dishes without registering the feeling of warm water and soap on your hands; it is when you eat without tasting your food; when you step out of your car only to realize that you have no recollection of the music you were listening to on your drive. For me, it is when my clumsiness starts to show, because in my mind I am already at least three steps ahead of where my body actually is. Accidental autopilot holds a special kind of power over everyday experience, forcing you to unknowingly trade mindfulness and awareness in the present moment for thoughts that exist and matter elsewhere.

Over the past six weeks of my Watson Year, I've developed a preoccupation with what comes next. I think part of this is circumstantial; I am completely alone and therefore responsible for all of the details. I need to know where I am going next, how to get there, where I am staying, what I should do, and so on. The weight of these responsibilities often makes it difficult for me to slow down and take it all in. I know that accidental autopilot is one of the tools that my brain is using to protect myself—and therefore I am sympathetic to it—but I know that resisting the urge to let my mind wander to worrisome places is important. Beauty lies in the details and memories are created in the present. I do not want to miss out! The following points reflect some of the ways that I am working to be here now and refocus my attention on the present.

1. Count (Commit to the Details)

Yes, count. Count anything you can quantify, anything that catches your attention. If you are like me, you'll be amazed at the patterns you discover. For example, I've come to recognize three stereotypes of pet owners (nervous, carefree, and normal—if there is such a thing). I've found that there are endless ways to lace up your shoes. (Some people substitute laces for ropes, and ribbons, others wind their laces in mesmerizing zig-zag patterns, bunny ears are everywhere, and a lot of people do not tie their shoes at all.) I've learned that humans are humans, with all of their flaws, confusing behaviors, and acts of generosity and kindness. Humans are diverse in their appearance and approach to life, but similar at their core regardless of location, circumstance, or culture. Counting is one of the ways I am pushing myself to learn and broaden my experience.

You may already be familiar with this exercise, but try acknowledging:

• Five things you can see

• Four things you can touch

• Three things you can hear

• Two things you can smell

• One thing you can taste

TLDR: Consciously bring yourself back to the present by focusing on the details that constitute it.

2. Trust Your Future Self

Remind yourself that you have made it through your toughest days, that you found a way when it seemed like there was no answer, and that at the end of the day, you always have your back. It is important to believe in your capabilities and intelligence, to trust that you will not let yourself down. Ultimately, you are the arbiter of your experience, and "present you" is not so different from "future you."

TLDR: As long as you have faith in yourself, everything is going to work out just fine. Trust that you will take care of yourself in the future as you do in the present.

3. Write it Down

If you are finding it difficult to blindly trust your future self, start writing things down. Use your notes app on your phone, a scrap of paper, a journal, whatever you have. Empty your brain of all of the responsibilities and obligations and trust that you will find a way to do everything you need to do (but probably not right now).

TLDR: Let notes carry the burden of responsibility and accountability rather than your mind.

4. Lean into Uncertainty

Not knowing what happens next is a gift, and often your assumptions may be wrong. Make space for life to bring you to places, people, and opportunities you did not plan to encounter. This is perhaps the most difficult of the steps I've laid out here, but I also believe it is the most important. Try new foods. Leave the house without a plan for the day. Walk down a street because it looks interesting. Let life lead you as opposed to the other way around. Some of the most incredible experiences I've had this year have been when I was not planning on them. Let the possibility of surprise excite and motivate you. As Henry David Thoreau so poignantly said, “live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find eternity in each moment.”

TLDR: Relinquish control and let life happen.

In closing, although it may seem simple to live in the moment, it may actually take quite a bit of effort. Being conscious of your thoughts and how they serve you is an important starting point. Life is lived in the here and now, and there is boundless beauty, depth, and wonder in each moment of experience. It is ultimately up to you to find it and let yourself enjoy it.