“What day is it?” asked Pooh.
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.—A. A. Milne

Is there anything more to say?

Today. That’s all there is. Today. The only day. That’s why it’s so simple and profound. It’s always today.

But how much time do I waste thinking about a future that may never come and regretting a past I cannot undo? Too much, of course.

And that is what draws me to meditation. The simplicity. The importance. The profound essence of knowing that this very moment is all I have. Not only is nothing else promised, nothing else exists! Pooh and Piglet are forever captured in the moment. Now. Today. My favorite day.

Today’s Practice:

Set a timer for five minutes. Find your breath. As you breathe in and out, look around the room. Take in your surroundings.

Continue to feel your breath even as you look. See it all. This is now. And this is now. And this, too, is now.

This excerpt is from A Daily Dose of Now: 365 Mindfulness Meditation Practices for Living in the Moment by Nita Sweeney.

Buy A Daily Dose of Now at Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or your favorite bookseller.

Nita Sweeney is a bestselling author, certified RRCA and mindfulness coach, retired attorney, and ultramarathoner. She coaches creatives (mostly writers), athletes (mostly runners), and leaders (mostly attorneys) to help them thrive.