A number of approaches to spirituality emphasize the value of staying in the moment, that is, being present-centered in this moment, right here and right now, as opposed to focusing on what has already happened in the past or could potentially happen in the future. This also extends to the concept of living one day at a time. After all, you can neither change the past nor predict or control the future. The only aspect of time and experience that you have influence in is this moment and today. There are many ways in which staying in the moment promotes health, healing, and recovery. In being present-centered and living just for today, you make yourself genuinely physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually available. Focusing on the past or on the future is an exercise in frustration and futility. Helpful techniques to stay in the moment and live just for today include concentrating on and deepening your breathing by paying attention to inhaling and exhaling; focusing on to five to ten things in the immediate environment, i.e., the room around you—walls, furniture, ceiling, etc.; and meditation and prayer. This blog post is an excerpt from Pain Recovery – How to Find Balance and Reduce Suffering from Chronic Pain by Mel Pohl, MD, FASAM, Frank Szabo, LADC, Daniel Shiode, PhD, Robert Hunter, PhD; Published by Central Recovery Press (CRP).