Are You Living in the Moment?
The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself. – Anais Nin
Article written by guest contributor Jarrod Clark. Please visit him at Optimistic Journey.
Have you ever gone on vacation, taken lots of pictures, and months or even years later found yourself looking at those pictures and reminiscing over the great moments you experienced? Did you find yourself wanting to go back to that moment in time and witness it all over again?
It is times like this we learn to cherish the moments that life brings us. Life is a big journey full of ups and downs but we have to remember to live life one day at a time and relish those times that bring us happiness, joy, and great memories.
It’s important that you remember that no two instances are alike. Life is full of moments that, once out of reach, you can’t take them back.
It’s like being a watchman in the night. He can’t sleep on the clock. He can’t take a break to worry about what the future holds. No, he must remain ever so watchful of the wakening moment. He has to guard every entrance and exit to make sure no one illegally enters the property.
In a sense, that’s the way you should live life. You can’t sleep on the moments that are worth paying attention to. You can’t worry about the future, you have to live in the moment now because you can’t take back the occasions that count.
I’m reminded of a great quote by Bob Bales that reminds us, “Don’t cross your bridges until you get to them.”
We spend our lives defeating ourselves crossing bridges we never get to. We sabotage ourselves when we spend so much time and energy focusing on a point in the future that we haven’t yet reached. You cause yourself a great disservice, when you worry about the past or future.
It’s like inadvertently tapping over your favorite program in the VCR; you’re allowing such great occasions to waste away. You have to know that the past is the past and the future will take care of itself.
Matthew 6:34 confirms this to us because it says “So, don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.”
When you focus on the future, you allow the precious moments of the day to slip away. And in doing so, you cause yourself to get out of alignment. When you make a decision to accept your life as it is, you relieve yourself of un-needed stress, pain, and anguish and in turn, you allow yourself to experience more joy and peace.
You will be surprised at how much joy you cultivate when you delight yourself in the simpler things of life. It’s those simpler things, which occupy each moment that you will find often mean the most.
Think of times that you’ve allowed the moment to waste away due to being too wrapped up in the future or the past, Feel free to share these in Comments below.
More from Jarrod Clark
Jarrod Clark is the author and founder of OptimisticJourney.com where he provides inspirational messages for maintaining an optimistic outlook on life. He writes from a place of life experiences, trials he’s faced, and failures and successes that he’s encountered, and uses the inspiration obtained during those storms and shares it with you.
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Comments
9 Responses to “Are You Living in the Moment?”
What do you think?
Jarrod,
It’s funny that you posted this because I’ve been listening to the Eckhart Tolle book “The Power of Now” over and over for the last few days. One of things he talks about is the idea that if you live in the now, then you will be free of pain and suffering. In fact he argues that most of pain and suffering is self created because of living in past and future. Wayne Dyer even said that if you spend too much time living in the future you’ll never be fulfilled.
@Srinivas Wow, I’ve never read that book. I find that interesting that we are on the same wavelength. I will have to go check him out. Thanks for sharing!
I find this topic most interesting.
As a Tolle fan I often reflect on the past, present and future.
I find awareness of the present moment a calming and beautiful experience…
Thank you for an inspiring post Jarrod!
@Axel G – Another Tolle fan huh?!
I’ve got to check him out, I’ve heard a lot of great stuff about his work. Thank you so much for the kind words. I’m glad my article was an inspiration to you. Have a great day my friend!
It’s funny I was looking at old photos last night. I didn’t feel like going back to those times. Instead I had a great big feeling of gratitude for what a blessed life I’ve lived and continue living.
I did say I wish I could shrink my granddaughter who is 16 back to the age of 10;)
@Tess – Good for you! Unfortunately, grandchildren grow up so fast. But I guess there’s a big lesson in that. Appreciate them while they’re young!
Take care my friend!
Hi Jarrod,
I read it not long ago “Now is everything. Inspiration is everywhere. Perseverance is power.” When I am stressed out I recall this line and energy flows in me.
Living in the moment is Life. I sometimes go through my wedding album and my daughters new born pictures. There’s this feeling in the stomach and I love it going through the pictures as well. Time Flies…
Bye for Now,
Cheryl Paris
The Acorn Coach Blog
Hi Cheryl,
I see I’ve got to jump on the bandwagon. Don’t you love going through old picture albums and that warm fuzzy feeling you get inside?! Take care my friend!
@Axel G – Another Tolle fan huh?!
I’ve got to check him out, I’ve heard a lot of great stuff about his work. Thank you so much for the kind words. I’m glad my article was an inspiration to you. Have a great day my friend!