Day 13...be present...
This is all there is. No tomorrow or yesterday. Just now.
This moment is unlike anything you've experienced before or ever will again.
When you are in the now, there is no past to haunt you, or pull you back, or overcome. There is no future to wish for, or race towards.
This is as good as it gets.
When you are present, you feel your feelings, (like the goosebumps when someone you love shares an epiphany), you listen to your body, you taste your food, (ever notice how much better food tastes in the quiet, not at a noisy restaurant making sure the kids are behaving), you express yourself, (things just all of the sudden make sense, or answers come clearly to you).
Of course, the past informs and teaches, and the future inspires us, but the moment of choice is the here and now.
Is what you're doing right now bringing you joy and fulfillment?
My last few weeks, having the mountains as my backyard, I have been so much more aware of the scenery. The dark silhouette of the mountain range against a blue black sky, with the stars and moon illuminating the snowy peaks. I took a picture on my phone the other day of the sun reflecting on the river. I had been on that same walk a hundred times, but yet I was stopped in my tracks to take in the beauty around me like it's brand new.
The scenery hasn't changed.
I have.
I have to admit I get caught up hoping time will pass quickly. For instance, in a few short years, I will have a child that drives. How much easier will life be when he can shuttle himself around and have the freedom he craves so badly? If time would just pass more quickly, the difficulties of today will be over, and all of the drama will be behind me. I wish for things to get simpler and easier and so on and so on.....
So "being present" and knowing that this moment is perfect in and of itself is a powerful concept. When I really dig deep, and sit quietly, I can see it.
I can see that having my child on the couch beside me, wanting under my blanket while watching Big Bang Theory is exactly where he needs to be right now. His stories of classroom shenanigans and impending calls home from the teacher, his wanting to know I unconditionally love him even though he is a creature so foreign to me, is exactly what he needs right now.
I can see that having no commitments, not much on the go other than writing my blog, is exactly what I need right now. I have the ability to work through this process, and focus on loving the often difficult to love houligans that share my world.
Right now, in every moment, dig deep to find something joyful, for this precious moment is all that there is.
When I look out my window and see the mountains, I quietly remind myself....
...It doesn't get any better than this.
