A paraphrase from the teachings of Eckhart Tolle is: The more that you devote to the past or future robs you of the only real time that there is and that is right now.
My spiritual advisor, Reverend Stephanie Sorensen, reminds me that this helps me to believe that the only time one can express himself is now so all other thoughts are futile and frustrating.
How much more futility do you wish for? How much more frustration do you desire? Are you wishing for even more dread and misery?
When I first heard the “One day at a time” slogan and similar variants such as “This too will pass,” I failed to understand the true meaning of these simple phrases. “If you knew my problems you would be frustrated, angry, resentful, afraid, (choose your own word,) too.”
“I am unique therefore I am entitled to be angry, resentful, afraid.” Once again choose the word that fits your so called Unique situation. You have the right to do all of this but do you really wish to pay the price again for resentments, anger, frustration, remorse? These moments of terse bursts of anger or resentment and the following fears that seem to appear?
I suggest that you take a day and pay attention to the thoughts that you have. Then decide if you really wish to wallow in the past. Or jump into the unguaranteed future. Or would you rather focus on the only real time that there is, now? And realize that you have a heartbeat, continuing breathing, people in your life because they now choose to be?
Happiness, joy and freedom are much more than mere words. If you want them, want to really experience them and feel them, remember that yesterday is a cancelled check, tomorrow is a promissory note and today is the only cash that we have.
Now that we are starting to understand this, let’s go a little deeper. Happiness, Joy, and Freedom are yours if you CHOOSE them. You were born with the ability to make choices. It is called Free Will. If you CHOOSE to live in the now, you can do this by simply doing the next right thing NOW. Doing this in each and every one of your nows leaves you with nothing to have guilt and remorse over tomorrow! It also gives you hope for tomorrow! How do you know if the next thing is right? When you are truly trying to do the next right thing, start out each and every task or venture with the shortened version of the AA 3rd Step by merely saying “God, help me!” Then get step back and let Him.
When you do this, you will not feel as apprehensive about things. At this point, if it FEELS right, it IS right. If it FEELS wrong. I suggest you step back and reconsider. Then, take the same test. Does if FEEL right? Then do it because it IS right. If doubts come up, stop and search for an alternative.
This, in a nutshell, is how simple and rewarding living in the NOW is. Not always easy but very simple. Peace be with you!
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