Recently, I was reminded of the importance of being present. The concept stems from Echart Tolle’s A Power of Now. I’m not a huge follower in neo-spirituality, but I am keen on self improvement. Essentially, he argues that in order to be happy and enlightened, people need to be more in tune with the now. Not the past. Not the future. Now.

Here are some moments of the “Now” that have really stuck with me while here in Taiwan:

• Silently watching the Taiwan countryside whiz by at 300 km/h on the THSR.
• Hearing little children shout for joy during a fireworks show at Taipei 101.
• Feeling the wind on my face as I drove a motorbike in Kenting.
• Listening to the sounds of cars barreling down East Heping Road.
• That nervous yet excited feeling before meeting new people.
• Eating my daily morning sandwich on my way to class.

It’s so easy to forget these trivial moments, but it’s times like these that make me forget about worrying about the future or pondering the what-ifs of the past. I’m living in the now. And it feels great.

Feel the moment. Appreciate it. Enjoy it.