be content in the here and now

i suppose i am content in the present. it seems to waver to varying degrees at times though. but all in all i feel blessed with the gift of life i have been given.. want to make changes so i feel content more often

reading The Road Less Travelled and this passage struck a chord:

”...one of the reasons we fail to take advantage of grace is that we are not fully aware of its presence – that is we don’t find valuable things not sought for, because we fail to appreciate the value of the gift when it is given to us. In other words serendipitous events occur to all of us, but frequently we fail to recognise their serendipitous nature; we consider such events quite unremarkable, and consequently we fail to take full advantage of them.”

These days, while I still do ocasionally have my head in the clouds, I manage to keep most of my thoughts in the present, where I am. I no longer dwell in the could haves, would haves and should haves, and I don’t worry as much about the future. A little worry is good, but it seldom is like the kind of worry that I used to have over things that I’m not even sure of. That was nuts and, honestly, now that I look at it, self-inflicted. I could’ve done without all that.

This is something that doesn’t end here, but I think I’ve achieved enough. I am marking this done. :D

^{coreybarba.com}

I’ve started writing in some sort of journalish thing and it helps me appreciate and be more aware of what happens to me everyday. While I still do think of the future a lot, I feel more grounded in the here and now, and I am learning to not get too ahead of myself.

I’m thinking about getting myself a nice paper journal and writing in there instead. That way I could make doodles, too. That would be nice. Just thinking about it makes me smile!

Life Lessons by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler and really liked the chapter on time:

“When we’re not living in the moment, we don’t really see each other or ourselves. And if we’re not living in the moment we can’t find happiness. We shouldn’t shut the door on the past, but we do need to see it for what it was and move on. Hopefully we’ll move into the now, the present, the moment we actually live in.”

...from this instant on , vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do- now.

“The Art of Living”
Epictetus-55.A.D. -dedicated his life as a philosopher to teaching the simple way to happiness and fulfillment
The new interpretation by Sharon Lebell

While it’s always good to plan and be ready for what may come, I also need to learn to enjoy the present moment fully. When I look at my day, I probably spend about half my waking hours thinking about what lies ahead. It’s way too much; I seriously need to leave it alone and allow things and situations unfold by themselves.

I have to learn to live the exact second that I’m in, something that I need to do for most of the day.

^{© Andre Jordan}

Oh sweet and loving Spirit
When I stay asleep too long
Oblivious to your many blessings,
Then, please, wake me up,
And sing to me your joyful song.
It is a song without noise or notes.
It is a song of love beyond words,
Of fidelity beyond the power of human telling.
I can hear it in my soul,
When you awaken me to your presence.

Mechthild of Magdeburg (13th century woman mystic)

Taken from the Universal Heart Network’s newsletter.