It sounds like one of those New Age clichés. Of course we are living in the  present moment. When else would we be living? In truth, many of us live 'everywhen' except the present moment. We spend a lot of time dwelling on the past and worrying about the future.

This concept is sometimes referred to as mindfulness. It originated as a Buddhist concept, but it is now incorporated into many stress management  programs. If we live our lives mindfully we will get more out of life.

A related concept is the distinction between importance and urgency. We often let life slip away by confusing these two concepts. Important tasks are those which we place value on. Urgent tasks are those which someone tells us to do right away. While we are busy with a task with an urgent deadline we may be missing a much more important task.

For example, a father recently missed an important moment. His daughter asked him if he would help her study for her Biology test. He was busy and told her that he would help her after he finished, and she replied "Never mind." He offered to help twenty minutes later and she replied that she could do it herself. She turns 18 next month. Did he miss his last opportunity to help her study?

What he was doing seemed important at the time but his daughter is so much more important! He missed an opportunity to interact with her. He had already resolved to spend more time with her this last year before college and he blew it.

The other way to avoid the present is to dwell on the past. We need to learn from it, and then let it go. Nothing will be accomplished by beating ourselves up over it.  This father can’t take back the choice he made but he can learn from this and apply it in the future instead of beating himself up about it.

We need more work on enjoying the present moment, grabbing important moments that we have.

All we really have is this moment. When it's gone we'll never get it back. What's important in your life? Is that where you are spending your time and energy?