One Day At A Time!
Are you someone who; dwells on the past; lives fully in the present; or contemplates the future?
Before we acknowledge that we all have to do all of these things through life, let’s amuse ourselves with a short process of thought. When we consider the past, though some memories may haunt us or be a constant source of nostalgia, we may be inclined to consider the past as something that is not worth focusing on. Nonetheless, we would be wise to remember that valuable lessons can be learnt from the past, without dwelling on it too much. It does not matter how far back we look, there is always something valuable to take from the past – which is why history is an important tool in the future survival and success of the human species.
Of recent, it has become far more common to hear messages guiding people to live in the present. Pop-culture and music sends out messages of living in the moment, enjoying life while we can, and not troubling ourselves too much about the consequences and the future. As much as there is truth within such messages there is also a coercion at play. To focus on the present should not be a complete disregard for the near or distant future that lies beyond this preset moment. There can be a fine line between living out a momentary feeling of happiness, and doing something impulsively reckless.
When we do something spontaneous and fun because we said, “Oh, go on. Live in the present,” it can be energizing for us to do something exciting and out of our usual routine. However, if the act involves something radical that could affect our future negatively – for example, get a tattoo on the face that could damage the impressions of other people – then it would not be wise to give into such impulses.
Used as a spontaneous reliever of the mundane, it can be energizing, but used in another way, it can also be highly constructive in our future. When we apply this philosophy in a different way – “focus on the present, because the present is all we have” – great things can be achieved when motivated by visions of the future. When we save money for something we really want; when we study for a qualification; when we want to become a sports or fitness instructor, we have all certainly done this. When we have a goal for the future, we cannot waste time imagine every detail of that visionary future because it is not real. We have to spend our time making it real and this only happens in the present. Therefore, everyday we can use the time we have to focus on the things that matter to us, in the immediate present and the eventual future. To understand that in order to have good things today, they must be planted in the future and sown today, for tomorrow will come and bring a better today.
It is important to allow spontaneity into life, it is needed from time to time, but never lose sight of your target. Something important that a meditation practice teaches is this: to attract that which your truly desire you must remove the desire by maintaining focus on the mediation, and good things will come. When they do, do not allow yourself to become swept away in the excitement; always return to the daily practice.
This lesson can be applied to life: everyday we complete our tasks that take us step by step, one step closer to our goals. Along the way, spontaneous things may arise to bring some variety and new lessons in life. These moments are to be lived and cherished, and once again we return to our daily endeavours without getting lost in the excessiveness of such moments.
If you are left wondering about the future, remember that the less you think about the future and the more you do in the present, the more chance of that future happening.