Living in the NOW may require a shift in thinking, in speaking. We can see how we think by observing how we speak. Am I consistently using past or future tense? Do I say, for example, “I have learned ” or “I have walked” (completed actions), or “I will learn to walk.” (future)? Living in the NOW, I say “I am learning” or “I am walking.” These are ongoing actions, in the present, happening NOW.

        “I will” is setting our intention. We do this once. “I am” is being, NOW. To build our world, we think and speak as if it is occurring NOW. It is. Thinking so brings it into the present. To think/speak in future tense says it is always in the future. It will never happen. It is only a goal, a dream, a wish.

        This speaking in the present tense is also know as “Intuitive Goal Setting”. I was introduced to this concept in 1995 as part of an Intensive intuition workshop with Carol Ann Liaros. We were instructed to write down what we wished (not “wanted” which indicates lack) to see in our lives using present tense and to read these thoughts daily, seeing it happen. This brings it into the NOW. I am using this regularly to create my world.

        This technique can be used, for instance, to achieve a desired weight. Suppose I weigh 200 pounds but desire to weigh 160. I say daily: “I am weighing 160 pounds.” It is soon noticeable, as this is said regularly, that our weight is no longer 200 pounds. The shift may be gradual, but it does happen as long as we believe what we are saying.

        We automatically do what we decide as I discovered as a young person. Whatever I decide in a meditative state, I automatically take the steps necessary to do it without further thought. If I change my mind, I must do so in a similar meditative state or I continue to do what is necessary to carry out the original decision.

        To live in the NOW, past and future tenses still have a place in our thinking and speaking. However, we see that present tense is more frequently in use when we are in the present, to be in the NOW.

        Another key to being in the NOW is to eliminate doubt from thoughts and speech. Make positive decisions NOW: I am choosing a good path NOW.