“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” Lao Tzu
I have spent a vast majority of my life floating in a parallel universe made up the past and future. I have found myself suspended in spaces of time that have kept my inner voice on a repetitive loop of common phrases. The “I wish I woulda, coulda, shoulda” of the past, or trying to live in the future with “things will be better tomorrow, or next week, or in a couple months, when x, y. z happens.” Can anyone else relate to these constant and obsessive thoughts?
I’ve always been the kind of person who looks for the next big project, the next thing that will achieve happiness, contentment, and fulfillment. I’ve been that way all my life. There’s nothing wrong with striving for a more fulfilling life, but in a few short weeks I will turn, cough, cough 64! That’s right 64! I’ve come to the realization that there is more that’s happened in my rearview mirror than what lies ahead. That is sobering. I don’t have time to live in any space now but the present.
So here’s my plan. I’m going to remain as much as possible in the now. I’m going to hug more, use the words I love you more, laugh more, compliment others, try new recipes and savor every bite, find daily adventures, and try to silence that damn inner voice of mine that wants me to take past and future trips to Nowheresville. I’m going to say NO to time travel and start taking more NOW trips. Oh, I know my thoughts will at times circle the wagons of the past, then try and catapult them to the the future, but I’m going to make a conscious effort to keep this head of mine in the here and now.
I’m looking out my window now as I type. It’s raining on the patio, everything’s in a wash of muted greens, plums, grays and auburns, like a Monet painting. I’m listening to the waterfall and I see my little meditation frog seated there. I know he just greeted me with Namaste.
So I say to you, Namaste. Have a blessed day. I hope you enjoy each and every moment!
