Back to the Present

Posted by MSW on Jul 12, 2011 in Blog | 4 comments

I’ve been reminded recently by a friend about the importance of staying in the present …

… and how sometimes if your mind is already in the future then perhaps it is better to fast forward to the future so you can get back to the present.

Anticipation is one thing. To look forward to something is a treat sweeter than spontaneity, despite the immediacy of the thrill fulfilled. While edging ever closer to a planned event on the horizon affords the opportunity of contemplation and growing excitement of how sweet that treat will taste.

Preoccupation is another thing. It robs you of your focus on today; on the feast of opportunity laid before you. And herein lies the “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” advice of the aforementioned friend: if your focus is on tomorrow and you can’t pull it back to today, perhaps you’re better stepping into tomorrow (and whatever it is that you are focused on) so that you and your mind are once again in the same place.

I’m preoccupied at the moment. My head is seeking to read the clouded crystal ball of my future and not surprisingly is stymied by its veil of secrecy. I’m getting ready to move from Guatemala and am nervous about the future. I’m also sad about the loss of my sense of home here, but for reasons of increasing loneliness and isolation I have decided to address my emotional health and make a move.

Which leads me to share with you something another friend sent me earlier this week about the importance of ‘commitment’ and how once we commit to a path everything else falls into place.

Until one is committed there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back,
always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation),
there is one elementary truth,
the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans;
That the moment one definitely commits oneself,
then Providence moves, too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never
otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen
incidents and meetings and material assistance,
which no man could have dreamt would have come
his way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

The Scottish Himalayan Expedition
W.H. Murray, J.M. Dent & Sons, Ltd. 1951