Are you actually here?

Our minds are flooded. To do lists, family needs, work deadlines – life’s responsibilities. Uncertainty, worry, “what if’s” and fears. Regret, disappointment and “chewing the cud” on what happened yesterday. As one task gets accomplished, the next falls in line. As one worry dissipates a new one reliably replaces it. As we struggle with one difficult memory, another plays tug of war for your attention. Are we actually here? Or are we often ten (or ten thousand) steps ahead or behind of where we actually are?

Life has much to offer, so much so that we often feel a sense of missing out or being left behind. So we scurry along with the herd who are also frantically dashing toward a destination – unbeknown to them. What is the result one may ask? Being everywhere other than where you actually are. Continually missing the moment or the experience that is there to serve you.

How many experiences have we been physically present for and yet are miles away from? Our children’s birthdays, social get togethers, the dinner table, holidays, sunsets, sunrises … all happening around us to bring us joy and we give it away. Too busy with replying our messages, clearing our emails, browsing social media to salivate and envy the next human who hides behind their manicured pictures, staring at the tv screen depressed by the news that paints the world a dark and desperate place. When right there as you peel your eyes off of the overstimulating digital screen, there are smiles, sounds of laughter, interesting stories, wholesome food, the beauty of nature and your very own breath – forever loyal and awaiting your attention whenever you choose to notice it keeping you alive.

“The past is nothing more than all present moments that have gone by, and the future is just the collection of present moments waiting to arrive” said poignantly by Eckhart Tolle in his book The Power of Now. According to him, there is no past or future. There is only memory or anticipation.

If you find that you do not enjoy your present, there are three activities that you can perform. You can either move away from the present situation, make a change in it or simply accept it. These three options allow you to take control of your life. By picking one of them, you are effectively taking responsibility for your life. This means that you are ready to accept the consequences of your choices.

Suffering comes from wanting the present moment to be different. Can we instead accept the AS IS of the moment and instead of being stuck in wishing it was different, choose an action that is in our control to bring about change?

Presence. The only thing that exists in real time. The only tangible item within which we have control in this moment.

Will you choose to show up for it?