Mindfulness in this Moment

One of my all-time favorite teachers, Dr. Traylor, once told our class "let your mind be where your body is." I don't remember what it had to do with U.S. History, but it has stuck with me nonetheless. In a world filled with busyness and distractions, being present in the here and now is increasingly difficult. One way to keep our minds focused is to practice Christian Mindfulness. Mindfulness has been defined as "a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment."
I have struggled with being completely present in the moment, especially in the past few days. I find myself looking back, regretting things I did or didn't do in the past weeks. I find myself looking forward, anticipating going home or worrying about next semester. Sometimes I feel like my body is here in New Orleans, but my mind is a thousand miles away. When my mind is elsewhere, I miss out on the beauty of God's creation, needs of the people around me, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
One of my favorite hymns is "Come Thou Fount." The third verse says, "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above." I know that both my mind and my heart can be tossed about by the winds of guilt, regret, worry, and distraction. Therefore, I must give my situation to the Lord, knowing I cannot fix myself on my own,
While remembering the past and planning for the future are important, I want to be present in whatever moment God has given me. You may have heard the saying, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift which is why we call it the present." I found this quote attributed to Family Circus cartoonist Bill Keane, author Alice Morse Earle, and Kung Fu Panda's Master Oogway. Whoever said it, the truth remains the same: the present is God's gift to us, and it is the only moment we can do anything about.
Unlike some forms of meditation, which encourage people to empty their minds of all thoughts, Christian Mindfulness is paying attention to what is going on in the present moment. It includes prayer and meditation on God's word to refocus our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2). It also includes intentional quiet time set aside to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells the people to not worry. Instead of fretting about our food, clothes, or future, Jesus says, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Instead of seeking the blessings of God, Jesus just tells us to seek God himself. When our minds race to the past or future, we are not trusting in God's provision for today; but when we are mindfully present in the now, we are fully trusting in His perfect plan.