Tuesday, September 25, 2007
It´s Now or Never
There comes a point in one´s life when memories become bigger than their dreams. When stories of past glories and loves crumble stories of future rewards and relationships.
But why should there always be a secret battle between our dreams and our memories. I was talking to my therapist the other day and she said that the reason why most people are unhappy is because people are so stuck regretting about their past or planning their future. If people just learn to concentrate on the NOW, life would be much happier.
I believe what she said is true. I know we have all read the benefits of yoga, meditation and all that but this is not an entry about that. I think, very simply we feel most alive when we just become more conscious of where we are at that very given moment. I know of some people who de-stress by going to Body Pump classes at the gym because they do not need to think. Although the release of endorphins may contribute to the un-stress, I think one of the reasons it helps people relax is that they put all their thoughts of past or future away in the corners of their mind and CONCENTRATE on what is present i.e. the screams and shouts of the gym instructor.
Just this morning, I practiced a very "Erica-ish" way of doing meditation. I mean no more counting from one to a hundred, I just moved my toes a bit, concentrated on listening to the clock ticking in my room, felt the sheets that covered me and smelled the autumn. I just felt that I was there, present in my otherwise unorganized room. I actually felt cried when I did this but then I felt great that I cried because I believe this was the repressed emotion in me coming out. It does not mean I am sad, it just means I am human.
Being present, enjoying the now and embracing the current is more difficult than it seems. It is not because we are all stuck in the past or because we are too ambitious about the future. Somehow, I feel it is hard to be present because we are afraid to face the current version of ourselves. Usually, those who dare face who they are now mean facing the demons that we have thought we had hidden and embracing the possibility that the future we have thought of may never come. It is when we face the present that we realize how much pain there is hidden in us. And yes, it is a painful process but then again, there is an upside to this since it is inevitable that the joy residing in our hearts will also surface.
4 comments:
Brilliant post, once again.
To your therapist: For some there is also the option of already regretting the future.
Something similar from my life:
http://aiesectkk.blogspot.com/2007/09/best-meetings-of-them-all.html
I wish I was brave enough to face the present more often..
Darling, I missed reading your blog. I promise to be back more often. I started living in the Now a whiel a go and it is is the best thing ever! Did you read the book: The Power of Now - Eckhardt Tolle? It's must read!
Miss you!
Thanks Andreas for the comment. :)
Meri, I will check the link out. Nice that you guys are blogging. :)
Jorien, I miss you! I have not read the book, maybe I should. :)
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