"El arte de vivir... no consiste ni en dejarse llevar descuidadamente por un lado ni en aferrarse con miedo al pasado por el otro. Consiste en ser sensible a cada momento, en verlo como completamente nuevo y único, en tener la mente abierta y totalmente rec"

Living life well isn’t about mindlessly coasting through it, nor is it about being chained to what's already happened. It's about being present, truly appreciating each moment as something special, and keeping your mind open and ready for whatever comes next.

This idea reminds us to balance between two extremes: drifting carelessly and clinging to the past. Picture the person who's always looking backward, stuck on what they've lost or regretting missed opportunities. That kind of living is suffocating; it doesn't leave room for growth or new experiences. On the flip side, if you're drifting aimlessly, you’re not engaged with life—you're just letting it happen to you. Neither approach lets you live fully.

Alan Watts, a British philosopher known for interpreting Eastern philosophies for a Western audience, often talked about this sort of thing. He suggested that to truly live, you need to be aware of the present moment. You have to see it as something new, something that’s never happened before and won’t happen again. This approach encourages you to embrace life as it comes, with an open and curious mind.

Think about a time you went on vacation. Sometimes, you might find yourself so worried about capturing the perfect photo or planning the next activity that you’re not really enjoying where you are. I remember a trip I took to Italy. Instead of spending the entire time snapping pictures, I decided to spend one day without my phone. I wandered through the streets of Rome, taking in the sounds, smells, and sights without any distractions. That day felt richer and more memorable because I was fully present, appreciating every moment as it came. That’s the essence of living described in the quote—being sensitive to each moment and fully open to experience.

So how do you apply this in your daily life? Start small. Practice mindfulness. When you wake up, don’t rush to check your phone. Take a moment to stretch and really feel your body waking up. As you brew your coffee, listen to the sound it makes, smell the aroma, and savor the first sip. Throughout your day, remind yourself to pause and take in the moment. It sounds simple, but it can make a huge difference.

Imagine you're stuck in traffic. Instead of getting frustrated, use that time to notice the little things: the patterns of the clouds, the song playing on the radio, the rhythm of your breathing. It’s about making a conscious choice to be present, no matter the situation.

Let’s say you’re at a family dinner and your mind starts to wander, thinking about work or the errands you need to run. Catch yourself. Focus on the conversation, the taste of the food, the laughter around the table. These moments are what life’s made of, and you don’t want to miss them.

In a nutshell, the art of living is about finding that sweet spot where you’re neither stuck in the past nor drifting without direction. It’s about being present, open, and receptive to the now. So next time you find your mind drifting or clinging to what was, pull yourself back to the present. Appreciate the here and now. After all, it’s all we truly have.