A Formula to be Happy - Inhabit the Moment

By Steve Gahagen

One of my top strengths is Futuristic. I’m often thinking about what’s next, what could be, and how to make it happen. It’s a gift, but it also comes with a challenge: staying grounded in the present.

Of course, many of us drift toward the past too—replaying regrets, holding onto mistakes, or wishing things had gone differently. But real life doesn’t happen in the past or future. The power to change, connect, and live fully is found only in the now.

Here’s why learning to be present matters:

  1. The present is all we truly have.
    The past is memory, the future is imagination. As the Lord’s Prayer reminds us: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Today is the only certainty. If we’re constantly somewhere else in our minds, we’re missing the very life we long for.

  2. Presence quiets the mind.
    Much of our mental suffering comes from ruminating on what was or worrying about what might be. When we anchor ourselves in the now, we find clarity, peace, and often—surprisingly—joy.

  3. Joy hides in ordinary moments.
    A breeze through an open window. Birds singing at dawn. A warm mug in your hands. The sound of children laughing. These are the small places where big happiness lives.

  4. Presence deepens connection.
    Whether it’s with yourself, with someone else, or with God—being in the moment creates intimacy. It says, “You matter. This matters. I’m here.”

  5. You stop waiting for life to begin.
    So many of us are waiting for things to settle, to improve, to be perfect. But the truth is, this is it. This moment—right now—is your life. And it’s already enough.

In our social media world, it’s tempting to travel somewhere just to get the perfect photo to share. But in our rush to post, we can forget to actually be where we are. The irony? We may end up with pictures of places we’ve never truly experienced.

Presence isn’t passive. It’s a practice—a way of seeing, noticing, and showing up with your whole self.

Slow down. Pay attention. Because the moment you’re in is the only one you’ve got.

Questions to Consider:

  1. Why is it difficult to be happy if we’re not in the moment?

  2. If this moment were all I had, how would I experience it differently?

  3. What practices or strengths can I leverage to be in and grateful for each moment?

BlogRachael Ingersol