In the whirlwind of everyday concerns, each of us needs the ability to separate what is truly valuable from what is superfluous.

Embracing the Moment: Focusing on the Essence of Life

In the whirlwind of everyday concerns, each of us needs the ability to separate what is truly valuable from what is superfluous. It is important to live here and now, allowing every second to influence our inner development. Instead of expending energy on superficial tasks, we should pay attention to the life unfolding in our hearts every minute. This idea compels us to constantly ask not only “what needs to be done” but also to wisely decide “what should be avoided,” so as not to get lost in trivialities. The fundamental notion is that everything in our life matters, and it is our attention to the present moment that determines the quality of our existence. Rejecting unnecessary bustle and consciously establishing priorities—with our spiritual goals first—helps us remain true to our convictions. May each step, each decision, be imbued with mindfulness; that is how one can preserve life energy and channel it toward creation.

How can we distinguish between the unnecessary and the important so that only truly significant moments reach the soul?

To filter out the superfluous and leave only truly significant moments in the soul, one must focus on what is happening now and constantly remind oneself that every second of life holds value. One source emphasizes, “The most important task for us in life is the one we are doing right now. The most important time is the moment in which we live. The most important person in our life is the one with whom we are currently engaged. These wise aphorisms tell us above all that the affairs of our lives and those of the people around us cannot be divided into what is significant for us and what is trivial. In life, everything matters; the Lord said, ‘He that is unfaithful in a little is unfaithful in much.’ Both a minor sin and a small negligence offend the Holy Spirit of God. And often, seemingly insignificant actions hold immense importance for our spiritual life.” (source: link txt)

This thought embodies a deep principle: it is impossible to categorically divide all events in advance into “needed” and “unnecessary,” because the essence lies in being mindful and present in every moment. For this, it is crucial not only to ask, “What should I do?” but also, “What should I refrain from doing?”—thus, we can consciously avoid distracting concerns and prevent trivial, superficial matters from overwhelming our life energy. As noted in another passage: “It is not good to devote all one’s strength and time solely to the external, forgetting the main thing, which is that the foundation of a human being is his immortal spirit. We must often remember these words: ‘It is not good to take bread from the children and toss it to the dogs.’ What then are we to do, how are we to escape from this sticky web of the world in which a person helplessly struggles? Typically, we are taught, when planning our day, to determine what we need to do. But we must learn to ask a different question: what should we not do?” (source: link txt)

Another important instruction is to establish an order of priorities, putting first what is most essential—what nurtures the soul and promotes the true development of the individual. In one teaching it is stated: “Place the adoration of God and salvation through the observance of commandments in the first position, and everything else related to the maintenance of life in the second, third, and fourth positions; apply your whole heart to the first, and treat the latter only superficially, as if merely touching them with the fingertips, and you will be a faithful executor of what the Lord spoke of regarding ‘the one for need’ and the selection of a share of the good.” (source: link txt)

Thus, it is not so much about rigidly dividing moments into “important” and “unnecessary” as it is about learning to feel where our true inner world resides. This requires vigilance and continuous inner self-improvement: every action, every minute of life must be evaluated by our heart, which is directed toward that which truly elevates and fills our life with meaning. It is exactly through this conscious approach that we can filter out the superficial and leave in our soul only those moments that truly matter.