The Present by Spencer Johnson

I'm on a roll this week, with books by Spencer Johnson. Books that offer perspective and wisdom to be applied to daily life. What I really love about books from Spencer Johnson, like Who Moved My Cheese and this current book I have just finished reading, is the simplicity in its story telling. Always a breeze to read through, yet at the same time, it does need moments of reflection with the messages delivered throughout the book. 

Similar to Who Moved My Cheese's  handwriting on the wall, The Present has its summary of notes as a reminder to readers of the important steps in achieving success and happiness in life. They are:

BE IN THE PRESENT

When you want to be happy and successful

Focus On What Is Right Now.

Use Your Purpose to Respond

To What Is Important Now.

LEARN FROM THE PAST

When you want to make the present better than the past

Look At What Happened In The Past.

Learn Something Valuable From It. 

Do Things Differently In The Present.

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

When you want to make the future better than the present

See What A Wonderful Future Would Look Like.

Make Plans To Help It Happen.

Put Your Plan Into Action In The Present. 

And my favourite question from the book, that would help you put things in perspective before appreciating the present:

We take this for granted, because most of the time, we compare ourselves too often with others, and placing others' definition of success to ourselves, without really questioning, if that is what we really want in order to be happy? Or that we are merely succumbing to our peers' expectations in appearing successful, while not knowing where we are heading to. 

This book has helped me realise to take things one step at a time. Common sense that is, there are too many times, where I feel overwhelmed with cluttered thoughts without really concentrating of the present moment. It makes sense and is practical to organise our thoughts and actions first, in this case, mentally organising our thoughts to the present situation and respond to our current needs appropriately. This does help to let go of the past, and move on to appreciating what we have now, before making clearer plans for tomorrow. 

I am going to take this challenge and experiment with these three essential rules of The Present. It all starts today with The Present that I have chosen to give myself today. And presently, I am aware that I can choose to define the outcome of who I will be and how I would feel. I choose to be happy. I choose to realise the present and appreciate it each day. :)