There is no better time than the present

[GMFan]

I've been reading Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self Reliance and there was a point made that stuck with me. I thought I'd share with everyone a key point made in his book.

If there is restlessness in your mind and you consistently dwell what the future is and what the past was you will make it very difficult for yourself to find true peace and be content with your position in life and the present. Learn to truly live in the present. For example, if you are driving or taking a walk and you find your mind racing about what you have to do for the day or what you were doing 10 years ago that you wish you were doing now you are not living in the present.

Focus on utilizing your five senses and enjoying the experience and learn to block your mind from constantly interfering with the present moment. Learn to realize that your mind can be your greatest and worst enemy and focus on tuning your mind on the present. Practice with this mentality and you will constantly catch yourself dwelling on distractions from the most important time in your life...which is this exact moment. You cannot be like a dog chasing his tail waiting for tomorrow or dwelling on yesterday as this very moment passes you by.

Maybe this sounds ridiculous to you but tomorrow morning try it while getting ready for work or before you go to bed. Sit in a quiet place and shut your mind off and take in everything around you until you achieve quietness in your mind. Sometimes it takes just one minute to get in tune. You will be happier and you will feel like you are appreciating and enjoying every moment. You will begin to feel more fulfilled instantly. In reality it is the simplest thing and you will feel like you discovered something great. Once you are in tune you will feel like a new person.

 

[oilboy123]

There is a lot of truth about not looking back and dwelling on the negative.

 

[GMFan]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
There is a lot of truth about not looking back and dwelling on the negative.


People are the happiest during a BBQ, a fun family event or a vacation because they are not dwelling on the past or future but are living in the present. Sure, work or being stuck in traffic may not be as fun which is what makes it easier to lose grip on the present and let your mind be troubled. Of course this doesn't mean you don't plan for the future or eat junk food all day and have no regard for your health. It's about putting things into perspective and realizing that aside from planning for the future it is out of your control and hence not worth concerning yourself over.

 

[SumpChump]

Especially important if you know for a fact that your future will never be as good as your past.

 

[Merkava_4]

That all depends on how good your memory is and how good of a conscience you have. If you have a real good memory and a ruthless conscience that constantly reminds you of how stupid you are and all the stupid mistakes you've made, you're destined to live a life of torment. No guy writing a book is gonna help.

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
That all depends on how good your memory is and how good of a conscience you have. If you have a real good memory and a ruthless conscience that constantly reminds you of how stupid you are and all the stupid mistakes you've made, you're destined to live a life of torment. No guy writing a book is gonna help.


Merkava never fails with his faultless logic. You read my mind.
Thanks!

 

[andyd]

Heh heh It took an adventure with breast cancer and the daily doses of a med and an anti-depressant to deal with the med's side effects. I'm mostly working on making people smile as I go through my daily dance. I'm in a great place and my life is better than it has been most of my adult life.

 

[BRZED]

Didn't Emerson say " This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing. Hmph!"?

 

[bvance554]

Reading this again reminds me of so many people who will spend so much time trying to take pictures or a video of a moment. I'm not one for taking pictures and sometimes i wonder if I'll regret it later in life, but I'd rather enjoy the moment than worry about fumbling with my phone for a pic or video. Ex... Watching my kid catch his first fish. There is no documented proof it ever happened, but its a moment i enjoyed. I doubt the memory would have been the same if I spent that time looking at a screen so I could post it on Facebook. Another example... Concerts or sporting events. I paid good money to see the event. I want to enjoy it in the moment, not be distracted by my device so I can watch a lesser version of the moment later. Live in the now for now... You'll probably enjoy the memories better than a vide of the moment you had to post somewhere to show everyone.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: bvance554
Reading this again reminds me of so many people who will spend so much time trying to take pictures or a video of a moment.


What cracked me up was how the lunar eclipse last weekend showed so many folks the limitations of their smart phone cameras. And yeah my fb feed was full of fuzzy moon shots.

Although, counterpoint, it happened in slow enough motion you could carry on a conversation and click a shutter every few minutes. And you could stand around with a tripod and telephoto lens looking like you were doing "something."

 

[Bumble_guy]

Very true I try to practice this daily , taking time to smell the roses is a old school saying that needs to be done daily , even if it is in short bursts, like seeing a old couple hold hands , the beauty of nature , looking at my mustang convertible with the top down , my son laughing ,ect

 

[beanoil]

Can't agree. You set for a minute and that minute is gone into the ether. You have to look back so your experiences help you not make the same mistake twice. Or, if you are an "in the moment" person, you better be able to remember that time because it was so calm and peaceful according to the OP. You have to look forward, that's what gets you where you need to go, and it's coming full steam, like it or not. You don't have to look much further than the animal kingdom for advise.
Somewhere in Africa, a Gazelle is waking up. He knows he has to be faster than the Cheetah to live. Somewhere in Africa a Cheetah is waking up. He knows he has to be faster than the Gazelle or he's a hungry cat. Either way, IMO, when you wake up, you better be running!

 

[bullwinkle]

Originally Posted By: BRZED
Didn't Emerson say " This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing. Hmph!"?
It was either him, or Yoda from Star Wars (believe Empire Strikes Back?).

 

[John_K]

Or as I had a shrink tell me "be where you are when you're there." Simple.

John

 

[BRZED]

Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Originally Posted By: BRZED
Didn't Emerson say " This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing. Hmph!"?
It was either him, or Yoda from Star Wars (believe Empire Strikes Back?).


I'm glad one person pays attention!

 

[camrydriver111]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
That all depends on how good your memory is and how good of a conscience you have. If you have a real good memory and a ruthless conscience that constantly reminds you of how stupid you are and all the stupid mistakes you've made, you're destined to live a life of torment. No guy writing a book is gonna help.


lol

 

[Dave Hess]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
There is a lot of truth about not looking back and dwelling on the negative.


Agreed 10000000 %. Never loose sleep over something in your past, it will drive you crazy. Move on and learn from the negative experience.