International Bench Day, May 20
Date: Annually on May 20
International Bench Day is dedicated to being present and celebrating life’s most important principle – living in the moment. The purpose of Bench Day is to remind people to pause amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy this unique moment.
Most of our treasures are right under our noses, as long as we stop and notice them.
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Why a Bench?
A bench is a universal, beautiful, and symbolic object for this very moment. It conveys the message of "living in the moment" beautifully across the world and perfectly symbolizes being present.
Benches have long been symbols of presence and harmony. Sitting on a bench, often in peace, is an act of being completely in the present moment. Observing your surroundings while sitting is a profoundly simple yet powerful way to achieve true presence – a state where the worries of the past and the fears of the future no longer weigh on your mind.
Happiness can only be found when you are present in the moment. Happiness is not a destination to arrive at, but a way of life – in the moment. A bench is a daily reminder in our lives of this magnificent and unique moment.
The father of the Bench Day philosophy, Ilkka Isopahkala, founder of UBBOTUGGI benches, aims to remind people every day of the value of living in the present moment.
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The Purpose of Bench Day
On Bench Day, people are encouraged to sit on a bench and truly pause. Whether you’re alone or with a loved one, presence makes the moment meaningful. When you’re present, you hear and see others, and at the same time, you yourself are heard and seen.
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An Important Reminder
The message of Bench Day is simple: we only have this moment. When you remember that yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not guaranteed, all that remains is this moment. Do we have anything else? No.
True presence makes life genuinely rich and meaningful. It elevates the quality of life to a high level.
Life is ultraluxurious when you learn to live in the moment. Everything else is just a bonus. When you live your high-class ultraluxurious life, you also automatically do everything in the best possible way because you focus on it completely.
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The Origin and Background of Bench Day
International Bench Day was founded by Finnish entrepreneur Ilkka Isopahkala, manufacturer of UBBOTUGGI benches. The date, May 20, was chosen because it represents the birth of an important ideological message.
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Live in the Moment
Bench Day urges us to pause and appreciate everything the present moment has to offer.
So, wherever you are, take a moment to marvel at how incredible your surroundings are. Reflect on where everything has come from, the origins of the materials around you, and how amazing it is that they exist in this form and in this place.
How extraordinary it is that the sun shines, providing just the right amount of warmth.
How incredible it is that the wind picks up, bringing gusts of air from somewhere. Everything has its purpose.
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Embrace the Beauty of the Moment
If you’re sitting on a bench, be 100% present. Hear and see your surroundings, smell the coffee’s aroma, feel the sun’s warmth, and sense the love of another.
If you encounter a child, kneel to their level, look at them, hear them, and see the amazing miracle: their skin, life, movement, mind, and all the wonder they embody.
If you touch an oak tree, feel its perfect grain, its regal dignity, and its calming presence.
If you work with leather, feel its texture and softness, notice its flexibility, and see its patterns and perfection.
If you ride a motocross bike, feel the power of the engine, the brakes’ strength, the grip of the tires, and the shapes of the terrain.
If you steer a sailboat, sense the pull of the sails, the wind’s direction, the rhythm of the waves, and the scent of your surroundings.
If you walk the same path for the thousandth time, discover new things along the way – a beautiful stone, the brightness of a plant’s colors, or water rising in a ditch.
If you’re in a conversation, hear and see the other person. Listen to what they are saying.
Live in this moment. Life is unbelievably beautiful, and we humans are remarkable.
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Live Every Day to the Fullest
Live in the moment today and every day. Live a beautiful and powerful ultraluxurious life to your full potential. When you’re present, nothing else ultimately matters because you always give your best. You’re not living at 10% but at the full 100%.
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Celebrate International Bench Day on May 20!