How long is a “moment”?

It is the thing these days to “be in the present moment”.  How long is a moment?  Is it a minute?  A second?  30 seconds?  A day?

A moment is not a matter of time as measured by the human clock.  The dictionary describes it as “an indefinitely short period of time”.  I also find it interesting that the word is derived from the Latin verb “movere” which means “to move”.   It is said that the only power in our lives is in the moment which is the only time we can actually move i.e. by making a decision and taking action.

Many years ago, my sister and I spent a day at Disneyland in California.  She was studying in Canada, I was living in Jamaica, and we had met for a few treasured days at our cousins’ home in Los Angeles.  The trip to Disneyland was our time together.  Every moment of that day was magical!  Indeed, the entire day was one big moment of love, peace and joy.  We still remember it as one of the happiest days, or “moments” of our lives.

When does a moment begin and when does it end?  It begins when we focus and relax into where we are.  During that Disneyland moment I was not thinking about how much I had missed my sister and how we would soon be apart again.  I was only present to the fun and enjoyment of her company that day.

When does a moment end?  It ends when you come out of the present and bring the past or future into your thoughts.  That means that a moment may extend for as long or as short as you wish.