Do you live in the moment?
Or do you like to think ahead to
the future?
Do you stay fully present? Or do you live for what might be
tomorrow—for dreams that haven’t yet arrived (and may never come at all)? Like
that agent, the big time publishing deal, or the love of your life to come
along?
The above image showed up in my Facebook feed, posted by the awesome people at Handicap This. It fits perfectly with my world view.
Many of us are guilty of thinking outward and looking to the
future. Maybe it’s to fulfill something we feel is missing in our current
lives. Maybe it’s because the future sits out there somewhere with a hint of
promise for bigger and better.
After my younger son was born and given a life-limiting
diagnosis, my dad gave me a little piece of advice: Live in the moment. It
began my new approach to seeing life.
Two years after my son was born, I was in Washington DC on
business and read Eckhart Tolle’s book, The
Power of Now. It, too, made me see things differently; see my life
differently.
My son’s birth and diagnosis, my dad’s advice, and Tolle’s
book were life changing for me. I don’t live in the future anymore. It doesn’t
exist. And while the worlds of my novels don’t exist either, I don’t want to live
my life like a fictional character.
I still work daily to stay present. Not present as in today, but as in this moment. I try not to
look back too much, and I rarely even dare to look too far forward (except for
logistical planning purposes). Perhaps part of the not-looking-ahead is because
I’m afraid of what might be out there. But then again, out there doesn’t exist yet. Does it?
So do you? Do you live in the present moment?
I've always lived in the present, although as I grew older I did start thinking about the future some. (I think men are just wired to think in the here-and-now.)
ReplyDeleteNope, I spend a lot of time thinking about what hasn't happened yet although that 99% of the stuff I worry about will never happen. I do need to stay more focused on the here and now. It makes for happier living.
ReplyDeleteThank you. :)
ReplyDeleteAs I've gotten older, I think I live more in the present, but I used to be living in the future.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder at times what the future holds in store for me, as well as have goals for that future. But usually I'm so busy that I'm very present!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing advice! I have a horrible habit of freaking out about tomorrow...I know I need to focus more on this moment than the next. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this. Yes, I live in the moment all the time, but I do have hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the future. I also LIVE in the past.
ReplyDeleteAt times it's complicated, but since my crippling arthritis days, I learned to enjoy each day and to hope for a better future.
This is something I'm always working on. Tend toward looking forward to weekends, vacations, and holidays. This can lead to missing the joy of the present... and inevitable letdown when the special events are over. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDelete