Do you ever get so caught up in the busy-ness of your life that you realize that you aren't really paying attention to that life? One of the woman I work with at one of my jobs has a license plate that reads HERENOW. Get it? Here and Now. She is a meditation/yoga enthusiast who takes that phrase to heart. I have to remind myself what a good mantra it is.
I ask myself, "What's the rush? Why hurry on just to get to the next Thing?" It is true that my life has been fairly hectic this summer. It is also true that I have grumbled a good deal about not having the time to sew on my quilting projects, read as much as I like, and especially, not seeing as much of my family. I race from my morning job to my afternoon job, my thoughts focused on whether or not I will be able to find a good parking place. Today I ask myself, "What's the point? If I park farther away, I can enjoy the stroll on the way". It is so easy to change the way you think about things if you make an effort.
It has been my habit to rush home after my afternoon job to face dinner preparation for my family. I have felt over burdened and somewhat resentful. After all, I worked all day long, and now I have to make dinner. Grumble. Harumph. Yesterday, I changed my attitude a bit. I got home and enlisted both husband and son to help my with the dinner preparation. We sipped our After Work drinks (wine for me, beer for them) and chatted companionably while we marinated, chopped and sauteed together. Dinner was great and I found myself comfortably unwound from my busy day.
Instead of fretting about the next moment, I made myself be present in the moment that I was having right then. And making the most of it. At this time, there isn't much I can do to change the fact that I have to work quite a bit. What I can change is being Here Now and opening myself to the possibilities in the moment.
I have a friend, Susan, who is facing a major challenge right now. While I think of her constantly, there is little I can do to besides send her my positive thoughts and prayers. "In times of great struggle, when there is nothing else to rely on and nowhere else to go, it is the return to the moment that is the act of faith. From that point, openess to possibility, strength, patience, and courage can arise. Moment by moment we can find our way through." S. Salzberg
34 responses to “Here Now”
Just wanted you to know that I love your blog and read it almost daily! Your comments today, struck a chord. I’ve been rushing around with the back to school craziness, and seldom have relaxed enough to enjoy it. Thanks for the reminder!
Just wanted you to know that I love your blog and read it almost daily! Your comments today, struck a chord. I’ve been rushing around with the back to school craziness, and seldom have relaxed enough to enjoy it. Thanks for the reminder!
That was just a lovely post Nicole, food for thought, I enjoyed reading it!
That was just a lovely post Nicole, food for thought, I enjoyed reading it!
Thanks, Nicole…..it is a great reminder of what is important……
Thanks, Nicole…..it is a great reminder of what is important……
I find myself asking “what’s the rush” and “so what?” to myself a lot when I get frantic, very little is worth the agrevation, and really when did being in a hurry ever actually help anything?
I find myself asking “what’s the rush” and “so what?” to myself a lot when I get frantic, very little is worth the agrevation, and really when did being in a hurry ever actually help anything?
Nicole thank you so much for the wonderful post!
Nicole thank you so much for the wonderful post!
Thanks so much for this post…after a busy week/weekend getting ready for “back to school”…this is exactly what I needed!
Thanks so much for this post…after a busy week/weekend getting ready for “back to school”…this is exactly what I needed!
Family cooking is the best! I’ll keep Susan’s family in my prayers— makes my worries seem so small. Thanks for the reminder….
Family cooking is the best! I’ll keep Susan’s family in my prayers— makes my worries seem so small. Thanks for the reminder….
I need to bookmark this post and come back to it on a frequent basis. Even after retiring, my life is so hectic that I don’t have any “me” time. In reality, it’s because I don’t make the effort. It’s difficult for me to stop and just be. I need to slow down and appreciate every moment. Thanks, Nicole, for reminding us all of this!
I need to bookmark this post and come back to it on a frequent basis. Even after retiring, my life is so hectic that I don’t have any “me” time. In reality, it’s because I don’t make the effort. It’s difficult for me to stop and just be. I need to slow down and appreciate every moment. Thanks, Nicole, for reminding us all of this!
Nicole, You are so right! We should live each day to its fullest! I lost my daughter, 29 years old, one month ago today. She had a form of muscular dystrophy, and her death was rather sudden (fine one day and gone to Heaven the next day) We DID LIVE life as a gift each day and treasure each moment we had with Amber.
Thanks for this post and love your quilts. Quilting keeps me sane and your blog is so inspiring!
Donna
Nicole, You are so right! We should live each day to its fullest! I lost my daughter, 29 years old, one month ago today. She had a form of muscular dystrophy, and her death was rather sudden (fine one day and gone to Heaven the next day) We DID LIVE life as a gift each day and treasure each moment we had with Amber.
Thanks for this post and love your quilts. Quilting keeps me sane and your blog is so inspiring!
Donna
I also have a morning and afternoon job with husband and middleschool kiddo at home… I never knew life could be so hectic. One little unplanned event in my day has upset the apple cart more than once. I do tell myself on a regular basis to slowdown and smell the roses… after all, one of my jobs is that of a public space gardener! But it is still difficult. I find myself dreaming of snowdrifts on those rose beds… and more free time this winter!
I also have a morning and afternoon job with husband and middleschool kiddo at home… I never knew life could be so hectic. One little unplanned event in my day has upset the apple cart more than once. I do tell myself on a regular basis to slowdown and smell the roses… after all, one of my jobs is that of a public space gardener! But it is still difficult. I find myself dreaming of snowdrifts on those rose beds… and more free time this winter!
Nicole, so glad that you re-evaluated and were able to enlist the help of your dh and ds. So sorry about your friend. I am hoping things will work out for her. Thanks for taking the time to share. Sometimes it is a little easier to face things when we can share them with someone.
Nicole, so glad that you re-evaluated and were able to enlist the help of your dh and ds. So sorry about your friend. I am hoping things will work out for her. Thanks for taking the time to share. Sometimes it is a little easier to face things when we can share them with someone.
And those positive thoughts are very much appreciated, Nicole, as is that quote. Thanks so much, my friend.
And those positive thoughts are very much appreciated, Nicole, as is that quote. Thanks so much, my friend.
Thank You Nicole for reminding us that so much of what we get out of life comes from how we choose to react to it.
Another thought provoking post, well done.
Thank You Nicole for reminding us that so much of what we get out of life comes from how we choose to react to it.
Another thought provoking post, well done.
It is amazing what a bit of attitude adjustment can do. I love your description of your family prepping dinner, having fun, and unwinding after a busy day. I hope you can find many more stratgeies to be here-now.
It is amazing what a bit of attitude adjustment can do. I love your description of your family prepping dinner, having fun, and unwinding after a busy day. I hope you can find many more stratgeies to be here-now.
The theme of your blog really caught my eye today. I have said I feel so busy trying to survive, that I feel like I’m missing life. It is good to be reminded to just live the moment.
The theme of your blog really caught my eye today. I have said I feel so busy trying to survive, that I feel like I’m missing life. It is good to be reminded to just live the moment.
Good morning Nicole! What a good reminder to start out the day with. If only we all could enjoy the moment more often.
One of my favorite quotes is “Make now the most important time ever because now will never come again.” I try to remind myself of it on a regular basis.
Enjoy the stroll through your parking lot.
Good morning Nicole! What a good reminder to start out the day with. If only we all could enjoy the moment more often.
One of my favorite quotes is “Make now the most important time ever because now will never come again.” I try to remind myself of it on a regular basis.
Enjoy the stroll through your parking lot.
You are so right!
You are so right!