The Now
Shacked Software LLC
[Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later]
Technology is a wonderful advancement that we really seem to enjoy, but with all the conveniences it provides, we often find ourselves forgetting to be mindful. The Now is an excellent example of how we can have the best of both worlds and not have to pay extra for it.
The Now is an iPhone application that sends you notifications several times a day. These notifications are either mindful suggestions or thoughtful quotations that help bring you back to the present moment whenever you check your phone.
I’ve been using this application for twelve days so far, and found that this method really does work for me. Whether I’m at work, home, or in the community, I can be reminded to continue being mindful. For example, while shopping, it was suggested that I “Close [my] eyes immediately. Break [my] current thought process and remember what [my] primary goals were for the day.” This short message helped me organize my thoughts and prioritize my actions as I continued my day.
At first I was worried that it would be disruptive, especially while at work, but the application accommodates both vibrate and silent modes. This allows you to check your mindful messages at a convenient time for you.
What I like best about this application is that it’s offered for free download on iTunes. I also appreciated its simplicity. There was no fuss over figuring out how it worked; there was only an easy to use “start” and “stop” button. However, I did find some things that could be improved. This application grants you no control over when you receive notifications, and there are no options or settings that can be manually changed. I found that this distanced me from the application and did not keep me engaged at all times.
Overall, I found The Now to be a useful tool in reminding me to be mindful during the day. I would recommend this to someone who is just starting to practice mindfulness or to those who are easily distracted from being in the present.
