Tanishka - Week #11 - The Power of the Present Moment

Life brings regrets and desires, nostalgia and longing that you can not escape sometimes. However much we try, there are times where we get stuck worrying about our past mistakes or our future aspirations, regrets from long ago or obstacles far ahead. Beyond these worries and anxieties, I believe that in time, the most power that you can hold is in the present moment. It is important to be willing to just exist in the present, clear your mind, and relax once in a while. 

In the wake of big decisions, being present in the moment is also crucial to slowing down and making informed choices; Even though “staying present” can merely be seen as a way to relax, staying in the moment can be a beneficial way to handle stress or pressure from others. In the crazy daze of high school, many students, me included, have been stuck in a cycle of overthinking and anxiety for the future, what we could’ve done better, etc. Although these thoughts are needed to construct your future, I always consult my mom’s favorite phrase when I need assistance: “We’ll cross the bridge when we get there.” Instead of worrying about every possible outcome and probability, I remember that there is always time for a reaction once the action itself actually happens. 

I remember seeing a video stating that 18 year olds wanted to be millionaires, while millionaires said they wanted to be 18 again. Over lost potential or opportunities, the memory many remember is the lost experiences, or the wasted time they could have used to enjoy the moment. The thing most people remember is that they wish they could have savored the present more, instead of running and running to push forward. Even the greatest of figures and celebrities didn’t wish for more money or fame, they wished to be teenagers again, to be in a stage where they could just experience the present without any concerns or responsibilities. 

On that note, I hope you guys will be able to enjoy the present more, as you will never get it again.


3 Reasons to Keep the Mind in the Present Moment, https://mindfulbreath.sg/present-moment/, Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.



Comments

  1. Arushi NaiduFebruary 15, 2025 at 1:21 PM

    Hey Tanishka! I loved your blog this week as it talks about something that I try to live by everyday. For me, personally, it is difficult for me to stay in the present moment and that often affects my ability to stay on task, stay true to deadlines, and enjoy the joys that already glitter in my life. When I am studying, I am constantly thinking about all of the things I could be doing instead: spending time with my family, cleaning my room, going for a walk, playing with my dog, practicing piano…and then when I am doing these other things, my mind always drifts to the idea that I could be studying, that I could be doing something else. This part of myself makes it almost impossible to stay grounded. Regret is an emotion that I consider the most bitter so I understand how horrible it will feel a month from now, two years from now, ten years from now, knowing that I could have just appreciated the “good old days” a little more. I am taking your blog this week as an inspiration to just stay present and to leave the overthinking behind. Great work!

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  2. Pranatee ShahFebruary 19, 2025 at 2:41 AM

    Hey Tanishka, I completely understand why existing in the present is so important! I do, however, constantly struggle to do so. With so much of a homework load every week on top of extracurricular activities and different projects to complete, I find myself anxious about what will happen. Will I get my homework done on time? Will I get good grades on those assignments? Will I be able to dance well even though I feel exhausted? When will I find time to work on projects? I often get lost in this cycle and find it very difficult to stop worrying about the future. Despite this, I try my best to live in the moment. Being around friends, listening to music, or petting my cat help a lot with this struggle, since they are all distractions from future worry. I know as a fact that if I don’t live in the present now, I will regret it in the future. True to what you say, we should enjoy the present moments as they are.

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  3. Arnav KheniFebruary 19, 2025 at 9:24 PM

    Hi Tanishka. The idea of staying in the present haunts me, yet it does not. On one hand, I do feel concerned about how others, like you said, reminisce about their youthful days. Their apparent regret over not enjoying every single moment often makes me self-reflect upon my thought-process. I wonder if I am truly enjoying life at the moment, and if my future self may regret not doing anything special at my age. As day by day goes by, if I do not do anything with my life, I feel like I might grow old with too many regrets. It is like this one person on YouTube said, to gain motivation for the present, imagine that you are on your deathbed and you are thinking about this exact moment. Will you feel proud about what you are doing, or will you be regretful? This leads to how the idea of living in the present does not haunt me yet, as I plan to start doing more stuff when I grow up. As for the present, I have some plans as to what I want to do. There have been some dents in my path so far for summer break, but it is fine as I will live in the present and try to see if I can find stuff now. Overall, this is a very thought-provoking blog that relates to things I usually wonder about, like how I am living my life right now. Good job!

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  4. Julia WanFebruary 19, 2025 at 9:59 PM

    Hi Tanishka! I'm really glad that you shared this blog, since especially this year, a lot of us are constantly thinking ahead about the upcoming work and tests we have to do and also about past events that we wish we could've done a better job on. It truly ruins the present moment when we dwell on these things; for example, when hanging out with my friends, I'm often just thinking about the work I have to do when I get home or my regret for being "unproductive" when I have so much responsibilities awaiting me. Instead of worrying about the future which will come whether we spend time dreading it or not, I agree that enjoying the present moment reduces our stress and is generally better for us. Thanks for sharing!

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