10th Feb 2024
To a large degree, the measure of our peace of mind is determined by how much we can live in the present moment.
Without question, many of us have mastered the neurotic art of spending much of our lives worrying about a variety of things – all at once. We allow past problems and future concerns to dominate our present moments, so much so that we end up anxious, frustrated, depressed, and hopeless.
On the flip side, we also postpone our gratification, our stated priorities, and our happiness, often convincing ourselves that “someday” will be better than today.
Life unfolds in the present. But so often, we let the present slip away.
When we’re at work, we fantasize about being on vacation; on vacation, we worry about the work piling up on our desks.
We don’t appreciate the living present because our “monkey minds,” vault from thought to thought like monkeys swinging from tree to tree.
In her memoir, ‘Eat, Pray, Love,’ Elizabeth Gilbert writes about a friend who, whenever she sees a beautiful place, exclaims in a near panic, “It’s so beautiful here! I want to come back here someday!” “It takes all my persuasive powers,” writes Gilbert, “to try to convince her that she is already here.”
John Lennon once said, “Life is what’s happening while we’re busy making other plans.”
When we’re busy making “other plans,” our children are busy growing up, the people we love are moving away and dying, our bodies are getting out of shape, and our dreams are slipping away.
In short, we miss out on life.
Many people live as if life were a dress rehearsal for some later date.
It isn’t. No one has a guarantee that he or she will be here tomorrow.
Now is the only time we have.
Mark Twain said, “I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which happened.”
I don’t think I can say it any better.
Practice keeping your attention on the here and now.
Starting this weekend, enjoy life today, Live in the present & stay blessed forever.