Time is an elusive thing. We can not go back and get time from our past, nor can we take time from our future. All we have is this moment…this very second. There is no time like the present because there is no time except for the present.
The human tendency is to look at what we don’t have instead of focusing our energy on all our good fortune and blessings. How often we dwell on the cup half full instead of half empty is determined by our personality and belief system.
but you can ruin the present
by worrying about the future.”
Working with Smiley reinforces all the teachings of my mother. The moment she awakes, Mom is all sunshine, song birds and gusto for the day. No matter how hard the trial, she doesn’t give up.
I try to incorporate that attitude into my life too, but I’m not as successful. I try to improve my attitude with thinking myself through it. When hard times hit, I think, “What is the worst thing that could happen?” given the current situation. Obviously, since I have a loving family, the “worst” thing may be uncomfortable or humiliating, but I wouldn’t ever be alone or in the street. That knowledge is always in the back of my mind bringing me peace and helping me to have the fortitude to continue through life’s trials.
Women often have a billion things running through their mind at the same time. Sometimes this is helpful, but most of the time it is discouraging. It reinforces the fact that their isn’t enough time in the day to accomplish all the things we want to do. That realization is often depressing and clouds our ability to see the positives in the moment we are living.
Tragedy usually forces a person to let go of the unimportant and to focus on the important. I tend to go from zero to hundred in one jump. For instance…Alyssa started to complain that I couldn’t do this and I couldn’t do that which meant I messed up her plans of doing something she “wanted” to do. She acted like it was the end of the world, as all teenagers tend to act. I said to her, “What if the house burned down…Would you be carrying on about this? Is it really that important?” Obviously, it ticks her off, but it gets my point across. If the house was burning down, what would be your focus and what would be the most important things you would want to save from destruction? So although the house isn’t burning down, the most important things in life to me are family not possessions or money.
There is no time like the present, so be in it. Stop worrying about all the things you did or didn’t do in the past. Stop worrying about all the things you need to accomplish in the future. Enjoy this moment. Enjoy those who people in your life that make you smile. Hold them close. I try to teach Alyssa the concept of living every moment to the fullest, without regrets, because we only have this minute of time. The last minute we lived is gone. The next minute isn’t promised. Live this minute.
In the hustle and bustle of your lives, what do you do to keep yourself on track and living in the present? How did you, do you or would you teach your children this concept?
~Steve Jacobs~
In reference to your aboved mentioned question, I would remember that I, being baptised in the name of Jesus, was saved, the "old man was no longer, and the new creature is to take over. Therefore, my past mistakes don't matter, so I should not dwell on them. I am to "keep my eye on teh prize (heaven). I don't have children, but I did, I would hopefully instill them with the same values and priorities. That if God can toss our "sins" and [mistakes](my word) into the sea of forgetfulness, then what gives us the "right" to dwell on them. I am not saying that I am always able to stand by this "creed", but I do my best, because it is what He teaches. I am still working on it, and probably will be till the day I die.
PJ
I have learned that God only requires one step at a time from me. God placed dreams in my heart, watered those dreams – but to get there, meet each challenge is to take one step closer – that's all. I'm at peace that arrival time is not now because the journey is just as important as the dream – and God allows us to dreamin 3-D, so I the inner me, the mommy me and the wife-me – each with wonderful things to achieve, experience, and live – just one step at a time.
Of course, it's always great when each of these "me's" gets to put my feet up all at the same time – LOL (Did anyone get that or just me?)
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Great post. When I got up with my 3 month old this morning I thought, "I'm so happy to have this day with you." You never know what's going to happen in the future so I try to make the most out of the present day!
I think this is a good thing to remember all the time, but especially around the holidays. I know I tend to focus on how I need to get this done or that present bought or some person visited. I need to slow down and remember that if I don't get it all done, it's okay. That person would appreciate a visit just as much in January as they would in December. And this thing I have to get done, well, no one is going to die if I finish a bit late.
Great post! I have really been trying to live by that first quote. After everything that has been going on in my life I am trying to focus on the good. Especially during the holidays. I think sometimes when we are down it is important to stop and remember all the GOOD!
WOW! I really love that first quote. I sure wish I could learn to live that way. I worry about everything, especially when it comes to my kids. Thanks for this post. I really appreciate it!!
Thank you for this great post. We often take so many experiences and moments for granted. "Time's priceless, yet it costs us nothing. You can do anything you want with it, but you can't own it. You can spend it, but you can't keep it. And once you've lost it, there's no getting it back. It's just gone." -Allison Dubois