"My philosophy is to take one day at a time. I don't worry about the future. Tomorrow is even out of sight for me." Bobby Darin
I hate to say it but we're not perfect. Maybe we think we are but the reality is we are so not. This is exactly why we need to take a step back, breathe and focus on the present moment. What are we experiencing at in the present moment? Do we like what we see? What are we feeling at that exact minute? Living in the present tense gives us self-control. Living in the present gives us a relief from any anxiety or worry.
Growing up, I can remember never living in the present. I would worry about my family, tests, whether the teacher liked me and even more importantly I would worry if my public liked what I was wearing and well, ME in general. I marvel at how getting older has manifested a more "present day" focus. I am sure it has everything to do with making our days filled with quality because there no guarantees as to how many we will actually have. Mom would always tell me, "Live one day at a time Claudia." I believe she was reminding herself more than me but regardless, I heard that advice many times throughout the years from her. It was really too bad that advice didn't stick until I never heard those words again from her. Kids...Mom would also say, "Your eyes will open when mine close." She was right...Yet again.
Years have brought about change. Surely, what was incredibly important to me even 15 years ago, does NOT mean a thing at this juncture. What matters is that I get up, have my coffee with the husband and my adorable kitties Leo and Luna. I get to the gym and sort out a great many things on the treadmill. I live in the present tense no matter what has transpired. This has given me a freedom that I have never experienced. For most of us, it is a process that does not happen overnight. Living in the present happens because we hit a wall. We understand that happiness means looking at the "now" and finding gratitude.
Gratitude does not happen for most of us overnight. Technically, for anyone to feel grateful, they must ackknowledge the hurt from their past and recognize the gifts that are right in from of them. This is a very difficult thing for most of us to do. We often have trouble letting go of what the past has done to us. We must though...We are missing out on the present if we do not.
So, taking one day a time and living in the present can save us from anxiety, depression and a life-time of chronic unhappiness but we have to buy into that resolve. It's a challenge to be sure but it's possible. If and only if, we buy into the idea of the present tense.
