Living in the Moment

You’ve likely heard plenty of sayings about staying in the moment or living in the present. It’s the foundation of meditation and of many spiritual traditions. But the wisdom behind these sayings goes beyond providing a catchy reminder—it’s backed by science: paying attention to the present moment can make you happier.

Researcher Matt Killingsworth has spent years using technology to track people’s happiness in real time as they go about their daily activities. Many of us assume that things like money, relationships, or free time are the biggest factors that influence our happiness, since these are the things we often strive for, but his research reveals that the number one factor in determining happiness is whether we are paying attention to the present moment… or not.

Regardless of the activity—whether it’s something enjoyable like eating cake or something mundane like scrubbing a toilet—people report being happier when they’re focused on what they’re doing in the moment, rather than letting their minds wander into the past or the potential future. 

Of course, it’s unrealistic to meditate every minute of the day. But Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast offers a practical approach to bringing more mindfulness into everyday life. He suggests that gratitude is the key to happiness. Genuine gratitude arises when we appreciate something given freely—something we haven’t bought, earned, or manipulated.

So, what is the most valuable thing given to us freely every day?

This very moment.

We don’t earn time, nor can we guarantee more of it. Despite any challenges or stress we face, each moment we live is a priceless gift, for without it, nothing else is possible. When we truly grasp this, we naturally become more grateful for the present moment, whatever it may hold. As gratitude grows, it touches more parts of our lives, bringing with it a deeper, more genuine sense of happiness.

Try practicing mindfulness throughout your day. Pay attention to what you’re doing right now. What do you notice?

• To learn more about David Stendl-Rast’s thoughts on gratitude, you can watch his TED talk here

• To become involved with Matt Killingsworth’s happiness project, visit https://go.trackyourhappiness.org/