Present moment decisions

In a follow up to the ideas on Presence, one concept that captures me at the moment is the importance of all the small decisions that we make. The idea comes from Shane Parrishs’ book Clear Thinking.

His idea paraphrased is that the small decisions we make every moment, every day are ones that really count. Big decisions, which we place so much importance on, are meaningful yet relatively clear. It is the work we do each day that adds up and makes us who we are. Whether we spend time distracted or in the present moment, whether we choose to go to bed on time or stay up late once, doesn’t seem to matter so much in the present, but over time has a large effect. Small decisions added up over time become habits, affecting who we are and how we see the world.

In connecting that to the theme of presence, the present is really the only thing we can affect. Our actions don’t happen in the past or the future, they happen now. So never underestimate the power of small decisions in each moment, like choosing to be here or offer gratitude. It is really taking part in life, choosing to interact fully with the world around us. There great things can happen!