we often think about what has happened in the past, reliving times of pleasure or pain, inflicting guilt on ourselves for something that happened long ago or longing to repeat happy times that can't be duplicated. we think, too, about the future, telling ourselves that if only something comes to fruition or when we reach some goal we will be happy. in reality, all we have is the present moment, and each moment that we have is precious. our lives are made up of a series of "nows," each being unique and unrepeatable. our minds don't want us to live in the present but it is all that we have. we must learn to embrace the gift of each breath we take.
to quiet the mind so that we can live in the present and fully appreciate what life brings us is the challenge. as i sit here with my fingers flying across the keyboard of my computer writing, my mind wants to pull me away to think of the events of yesterday or last week or to think of the upcoming trip that is planned for later today. what is important is what i'm doing now, sitting in my favorite rocking chair, with one foot propped up on my footstool, breathing in the oxygen that sustains me and expelling the carbon dioxide that is left from my most recent in-breath. i am at ease and filled with peace. that peaceful calm will stay with me so long as i stay in the present moment. it can go with me throughout the day if i am still in the midst of the day's activities.
our minds are useful tools, but we allow them to take over. they become who we think we are. they chatter constantly if we don't step back and observe what has happened to us as we allow our minds to control us rather than us controlling our minds. we do not exist because we think, we exist in spite of our thoughts. i often rehearse conversations with myself, telling myself stories about what i would or should say in a certain situation or recalling past occasions when i wish i had behaved differently. like so many, i overthink my life and, in the process, make life more difficult than it has to be. as i have gotten in the habit of meditating at the start of each day, i find that i am less inclined to live in my thoughts so much and more inclined to let life take its course. the more i practice letting go of control and stepping away from my busy mind, the happier i am.
may we each find that inner self that is the real us--the self that should be controlling the mind rather than allowing our minds to hide who we truly are. may we value each moment as it comes to us, letting go of the past and not waiting for some future that may never come to be. may each breath make us aware of the happiness and beauty around and within us. shalom.
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