Life moves fast. Each moment slips by, often unnoticed. Yet, there’s a gentle beauty in just being present. This is a gift many of us overlook.
Quotes about being present can remind us of this simple truth. They can help us slow down and truly experience life. Here are some of the best quotes to inspire mindfulness and presence in your daily journey.
Quotes for Everyday Mindfulness
“Wherever you are, be all there.”
“The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.”
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
“Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.”
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.”
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”
“Forever is composed of nows.”
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, which is why we call it the present.”
“Live in the moment, just take it all in. Pay attention to everything, right there and right then.”
“Mindfulness is about being fully awake in our lives. It is about perceiving the exquisite vividness of each moment.”
“The art of life is to live in the present moment.”
“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
“The only way to live is by accepting each minute as an unrepeatable miracle.”
“Don’t count the days, make the days count.”
“Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.”
“Nothing is worth more than this day.”
“Being present means living as if your life depended on it.”
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
“The here and now is all we have, and if we play it right it’s all we’ll need.”
“Life is a preparation for the future; and the best preparation for the future is to live as if there were none.”
“Mindfulness isn’t difficult. We just need to remember to do it.”
“Let go of the past and go for the future. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined.”
“Every moment is a fresh beginning.”
“One today is worth two tomorrows.”
“The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.”
“Be like a tree, stay grounded, connect with your roots, turn over a new leaf, bend before you break, enjoy your unique natural beauty, keep growing.”
“Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.”
“Peace is this moment without judgment. That is all. This moment in the heart-space where everything that is, is welcome.”
“The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness.”
“just three things matter: How well we have lived; How well we have loved; How well we have learned to let go.”
Quotes to Center Your Mind
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
“Wherever you are, be all there.”
“The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.”
“Forever is composed of nows.”
“The best preparation for the future is to live as if there were none.”
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.”
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.”
“The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.”
“Don’t let the past steal your present.”
“Now is the only time you have. Make the most of it.”
“The only way to live is by accepting each minute as an unrepeatable miracle.”
“The future depends on what you do today.”
“One today is worth two tomorrows.”
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
“Do every act of your life as if it were your last.”
“The present was an egg laid by the past that had the future inside its shell.”
“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.’”
“Living in the moment brings you a sense of reverence for all of life’s blessings.”
“Life is a succession of moments, to live each one is to succeed.”
“Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.”
“The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.”
“it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.”
“We are always getting ready to live but never living.”
“Happiness, not in another place but this place… not for another hour, but this hour.”
“Being present is the true art of living. In the now is where life is truly happening.”
“There is no better time than the present moment to be happy.”
“Time is a gift, the greatest treasure. Use it wisely.”
“Presence is more than just being there.”
Quotes for Finding Inner Peace
“The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.”
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
“The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.”
“Life is available only in the present moment.”
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.”
“One today is worth two tomorrows.”
“The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness.”
“Wherever you are, be all there.”
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.”
“Happiness, not in another place but this place… not for another hour, but this hour.”
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.”
“Forever is composed of nows.”
“The only real luxury is time. You can’t get time back.”
“Look past your thoughts, so you may drink the pure nectar of This Moment.”
“Be present, be conscious of what you are doing.”
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
“The here and now is all we have, and if we play it right it’s all we’ll need.”
“Presence is more than just being there.”
“Mindfulness isn’t difficult, we just need to remember to do it.”
“A day at a time. An hour at a time.”
“just three things matter: How well we have lived. How well we have loved. How well we have learned to let go.”
“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”
“The future belongs to those who live intensely in the present.”
“All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you.”
“Meditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality.”
“Act the way you’d like to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.”
“When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
“In today’s rush, we all think too much—seek too much—want too much—and forget about the joy of just being.”
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
“Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time.”
Quotes on Living in the Moment
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
“Life is available only in the present moment. If you abandon the present moment, you cannot live the moments of your daily life deeply.”
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”
“Forever is composed of nows.”
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
“You have to let go of who you were to become who you will be.”
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.”
“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.”
“The journey is what brings us happiness, not the destination.”
“Mindfulness isn’t difficult, we just need to remember to do it.”
“Life is a preparation for the future; and the best preparation for the future is to live as if there were none.”
“Living in the moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift.”
“Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.”
“The here and now is all we have, and if we play it right it’s all we’ll need.”
“There is only one time that is important—NOW! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power.”
“We know nothing of tomorrow; our business is to be good and happy today.”
“Lost time is never found again.”
“Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.”
“We are always getting ready to live but never living.”
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
“Be here now.”
“Stop acting as if life is a rehearsal. Live this day as if it were your last. The past is over and gone. The future is not guaranteed.”
“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.”
“The past presents itself as a memory. The future presents itself as an expectation. It is only the present moment that is the canvas of our life.”
“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.”
“Simple is good.”
“Wherever you are, be all there.”
“The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.”
“Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour.”
“Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. Trust. Hope. Love. Wish. Believe. Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go.”
Quotes for Calm and Clarity
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.”
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present.”
“The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.”
“Life is available only in the present moment.”
“The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.”
“Living in the moment brings you a sense of reverence for all of life’s blessings.”
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
“The only way to survive eternity is to be able to appreciate each moment.”
“Do every act of your life as though it were the last act of your life.”
“Forever is composed of nows.”
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.”
“One today is worth two tomorrows.”
“Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. Trust. Hope. Love. Wish. Believe. Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go.”
“Nothing is more precious than being in the present moment. Fully alive, fully aware.”
“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.”
“The past and future are in the mind only – I am now.”
“Wherever you are, be all there.”
“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”
“Your real life is in the here and now.”
“Don’t count the days, make the days count.”
“The present is a present to be cherished.”
“Peace can be found in the pause of the present moment.”
“Hold to the now, the here, through which all future plunges to the past.”
“No amount of regret can change the past, and no amount of worrying can change the future.”
“The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.”
“Why not just live in the moment, especially if it has a good beat?”
“Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.”
“Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life.”
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
“The future depends on what you do today.”
Quotes to Ground Your Thoughts
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
“The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.”
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.”
“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”
“Forever is composed of nows.”
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.”
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
“The only time you ever have in which to learn anything or see anything or feel anything or express any feeling or emotion or respond to an event is in this moment, because there never is any time except the present moment.”
“I have realized that the past and future are real illusions, that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is.”
“It is only possible to live happily-ever-after on a day-to-day basis.”
“The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.”
“My true wealth is not in the things I own but in the moments I live.”
“There is just one life for each of us: our own.”
“Do every act of your life as if it were your last.”
“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
“No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.”
“Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.”
“We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and re-center ourselves. And we’ll also have a lot more joy in living.”
“Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.”
“The present time has one advantage over every other — it is our own.”
“Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour.”
“Anecdotally, the more present we are, the richer our lives are.”
“The here and now is all we have, and if we play it right it’s all we’ll need.”
“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time’ is like saying ‘I don’t want to.’”
“The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness.”
“Living in the moment brings you a sense of reverence for all of life’s blessings.”
“Now is the only time we have, and the only time we have any control over.”
“Yesterday is but today’s memory, and tomorrow is today’s dream.”
“Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind.”
“Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment.”
Uplifting Quotes for Present Awareness
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.”
“Forever is composed of nows.”
“The only way to live is by accepting each minute as an unrepeatable miracle.”
“The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.”
“Wherever you are, be all there.”
“Life is available only in the present moment.”
“Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.”
“Happiness, not in another place but this place… not for another hour, but this hour.”
“The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness.”
“One today is worth two tomorrows.”
“Look past your thoughts, so you may drink the pure nectar of This Moment.”
“Presence is the key to freedom, so you can only be free now.”
“The future depends on what we do in the present.”
“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”
“The present time has one advantage over every other – it is our own.”
“Eternity is not something that begins after you are dead. It is going on all the time. We are in it now.”
“Mindfulness is the art of being present in the moment, waking up to what is happening right in front of you.”
“The moment is all we have, and it is enough.”
“What we are doing now is the only truth.”
“Live life now, this moment is all you have.”
“The here and now is all we have, and if we play it right it’s all we’ll need.”
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.”
“Mindfulness isn’t difficult, we just need to remember to do it.”
“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
“Life is not meant to be easy, my child; but take courage – it can be delightful.”
“Be here now. Be someplace else later. Is that so complicated?”
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
“Being present means living as close to reality as you can in order to not be carried away by the waves of time.”
“Do everything as if it were the only thing you would ever do.”
The Conclusion
Being present is a gift we can give ourselves each day. The quotes we’ve shared offer simple, yet powerful reminders to live in the moment. They encourage us to focus on what’s happening now instead of getting lost in thoughts of the past or worries about the future.
Whether it’s taking a deep breath, appreciating the beauty around us, or listening intently to a loved one, these quotes inspire us to make the most of each moment. Hopefully, you’ve found a quote or two that speaks to you. Keep them in mind as you go through your day, and let them bring a sense of peace and presence to your life.
