"Forever is composed of nows." ~ Emily Dickinson
My niece and nephew graduated from high school recently and I wanted to share with them some of my wisdom that I've gleaned in my 35 years of life on this earth. But as I began to write a message on their cards I suddenly felt inadequate. When I was a kid 35 looked so old, but now that I'm here I don't feel that much older than the teenage me (in mind that is - how I feel in body is another story.)
I did manage to come up with a tiny bit of wisdom though and the more I think on it, the more I believe I did hit on some very wise advice after all. The advice I gave is to Live in the now.
I've spent most of my life waiting for the future. I actually believed that when I reached a certain milestone my life would begin. As a kid I couldn't wait until I could drive. I just knew that the moment I could drive my life would begin and I would be happy. Then I couldn't wait to graduate from high school, then graduate from college, then find the one, then get married, then have kids.
Life passed by while I was still waiting for it to begin. Waiting for my happiness to begin. After I had children I no longer looked to my future. My children's milestones became so much more important than my own and I began to look to the past. The past that I didn't enjoy while I was there suddenly looked so appealing and I again couldn't enjoy the now like I should have.
I'm trying to change that now. While I do think it's important to plan and hope for the future, the now is what I think I need to focus on to be happy. Every moment is so fleeting. Enjoy the journey and choose to be happy now. Oh yes, it is a choice whether we want to believe that or not.
I've spent most of my life waiting for the future. I actually believed that when I reached a certain milestone my life would begin. As a kid I couldn't wait until I could drive. I just knew that the moment I could drive my life would begin and I would be happy. Then I couldn't wait to graduate from high school, then graduate from college, then find the one, then get married, then have kids.
Life passed by while I was still waiting for it to begin. Waiting for my happiness to begin. After I had children I no longer looked to my future. My children's milestones became so much more important than my own and I began to look to the past. The past that I didn't enjoy while I was there suddenly looked so appealing and I again couldn't enjoy the now like I should have.
I'm trying to change that now. While I do think it's important to plan and hope for the future, the now is what I think I need to focus on to be happy. Every moment is so fleeting. Enjoy the journey and choose to be happy now. Oh yes, it is a choice whether we want to believe that or not.
So what about you? Do you enjoy the now? Or does your past or your future look brightest?
"You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering." ~ The Music Man
I totally believe in choosing to enjoy the now. I have found that even though life is challenging, I can be happy with today.
ReplyDeleteGreat Music Man quote!
It took a brain tumor for me to learn how to live in the now. And I am grateful for it! I see the world so differently. Just the fragrance of the lilac tree outside my bedroom window is enough to make me smile.
ReplyDeleteEntire lives are wasted living in the past or the future. I'm so grateful for today and for being able to write these words. Today is a good day, I'll take the NOW!
Amazing post, and so so true. Also something I have to continuously work at. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI living in the now. It wasn't until recently, I finally realized I need to do something for me, do something I love, that I've kept hidden for so long. I didn't want to regret not trying. I've dwelled on regret too long. Plus, you only get one chance at life. You must live it to its fullest.
ReplyDeleteHi Shari - you're so right - a challenging life doesn't mean we can't choose to be happy. It was fun sitting with you at the Elana's book signing. thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristi - I miss you so much - so glad you commented. I wasn't sure what you were sick with, but a brain tumor? I'm so amazed that you're able to be happy during this trial. I hope you're doing okay and that you'll have lots of nows to live through.
Hi Sara - so glad you liked the post. I think this is something most of us have to work at. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Christine - I've dwelled on regret for far too long as well. So glad you've chosen to live in the now. Thank you for commenting.
Wise words Mary. I think we all live in the future or in the past every now and then. Sometimes living in the now is the hardest of all. But you are right - it is what we should all strive for.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice. That's so true. I love that Music Man quote. I hope your now is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love this post---so very true that there is always something 'bigger and better' that we think we have to look forward to. And yes---there are always big and great things ahead---but where we are now is just as big and great and important and worth taking advantage of. Thanks for the reminder! Hope you are doing well!
ReplyDeleteI use to enjoy the future. Now I try to live in the now. I do however occasionally dream about one summer in advance.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh I love the Music Man! Congratulations to the graduates :) You are a very wise aunt and I wish you were mine. My aunts just tell me useless things about makeup. I hope to take your lesson to heart and learn to live in the here and now. I'm a future-looker myself but that's not necessarily bad, I don't think, as long as we remember to enjoy what we're doing in the present. Thanks for this lovely reminder ♥
ReplyDeleteI tagged you in a fun meme today, but you don't have to participate if you don't feel like it! Hope your week's going well!
So if you're wondering if your goal of being inspiring is working, IT IS. I've just read through the last of your 3 blog posts and MARY, I freaking love you. Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteWow Mary, that's awesome advice no matter what the age. I wish I had someone I respected tell me that. I feel the same as you, 35 was OLD at 18 but my 35yo self doesn't register that. The whole spending your life, waiting for some mildstone in the future....still doing it. Are we always doing that? I can't ever seem to live in the now, even though I know it's great advice. I know this post is two weeks old but I was stopping in to say hi!
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