by M DePaul

Created on: February 13, 2009   Last Updated: February 27, 2009

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that is why it is called the present!

The past is known only through hindsight of experiences. Experiences teach one how to make the present and future better and more fulfilling through recognition of past mistakes and errors. The past is a marked roadmap, like dropping pebbles behind you to find your way from where you began to not lose ones way. It is a guide to make better choices and not made mistakes repeatedly for the future. The moment is based upon choices good or bad from yesterday. Recognizing good choices of yesterday, can become a conditioning factor for ones future by making less mistakes in judgments and errors; that is what we have in the present, our discernment and analysis of the past and how it effects the now and future; and consequences or rewards of either good or bad choices. The body and spirit will either benefit or be harmed in the process. Regardless of one's circumstances at present; it is important to stay in the moment, to grasp every moment with joy; that is all there is. No one knows what tomorrow will bring: basing ones choices and judgments of past actions, can determine ones future; by observing the past this can be used for the moment and future.

There are those who do not learn from past mistakes and wonder why they do not have tranquility. Examination of self in relation to others; is a fundamental key to happiness and grasping the joy of the moment. It is usually pain from relationships whether personal, business, etc, which causes most people to lose their momentary happiness. They become too engrossed in past arguments and incidences and accomplish nothing toward self analysis to uncover the dynamics that caused the initial problems.

Prayer is a form of meditation, whether one prays or meditates; this can determine ones present state of mind; which leads a person toward a better understanding of themselves and others; this will lead one to experiencing the moment more fully and joyfully. The quest of spirit is to direct each person to joy and fulfillment; this can be accomplished through quietude and contact with spirit.

Great unhappiness and unfortunate events occur when time is not given to inquisition of the spirit. People are so concerned with living in the moment that they need to occupy every moment; sometimes to avoid this aspect of their nature. This often leads to chaos, physical and emotional trauma and general discontent due to the misdirecting of their spirit. The sole purpose of spirit, is to direct one to living a full, healthy joyous life, keeping it safe, out of harms way; this can only be accomplished when these practices of self analysis and introspection are applied in quietude of spirit. It is essential for body and spirit to commune with each other for balance and harmony in the physical world. It takes mind over matter, for matter not to possess ones life and lead one into chaos.

Going over ones day (reaping and sowing) is paramount to spiritual learning and attainment; this brings tranquility of mind, body and soul. The desire for joy and happiness drives many to extreme behaviors and actions which almost always lead to unfound happiness and joy, because they look in the wrong direction. It is this reason the quest for spiritual attainment is so important to joy and staying in the moment, for that is all we have.

The sparrow finds seed, the sun increases with the day and rests at dusk, the moon moves the tides; it is only man who denies the day.

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