by Ross Voorhees

Created on: February 13, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

One of my favorite sayings is this: "If you live in the Past, you live in anger. If you live in the Future, you live in fear. Live in the Now." It provides a quick emotional gauge for figuring out exactly where our focus is at any given moment. But the fact is, living in the moment is difficult for many because it is contrary to our nature, and understanding this is a crucial part of overcoming it.

Our ancestors were faced with much more difficult lives than our comfort-based society of today. Considering the future was key to survival. Famine, pestilence, war, and disease was a daily concern for the majority of societies. We have thousands of years of physical, psychological, and genetic predisposition to overcome. In other words, it is completely natural for us to have concern for tomorrow, but when our concern turns to worry to the point that it detracts from today is counterproductive and just as emotionally, physically, and psychologically damaging as the difficulties our ancestors faced. So how do we do stop worrying about tomorrow and start living for today?

First, we have to realize that no matter how hard we may try, we are physically unable to be anywhere else but the present. We can't drive our cars a mile from where we are, or a mile behind. We can only drive the road where we happen to be. We won't know what really lies ahead of us until we get there. We can certainly try and anticipate it, and be prepared for it, but anything beyond this is simply a waste of our precious energy.

We also need to understand and accept that we have very little control. Beyond the ability to choose how we react to circumstances, control over anything is an illusion. We cannot control the weather, we cannot control how other people feel, we cannot control circumstances, we cannot control life. Is it really that surprising that we feel frustrated and exhausted so much of the time when we spend so much energy trying to control every aspect of our lives? This is a frightening realization, but beyond the fear lies true freedom and peace. Have you ever heard of Tubing? Tubing is when you sit on an inner-tube and allow the river to take you wherever it's going. The whole idea is to relax, enjoy the ride, and appreciate the things you see along the way. Can you imagine someone out tubing, frantically wearing themselves out attempting to control where they go? Yet everyday, we do exactly the same thing. We fight against the unpredictable currents of life in an attempt to get to a "better" place, or try to control the exact course we take, all the time tired and worn out as we miss all the wonderful sights along the way.

It takes practice living in the here and now, and we have no better example of how to do this than by watching our own children at play. They are completely engaged in the moment. They are not worried about dinner, not worried about bedtime, not worried about money, not worried about bills, not worried about anything. Their senses are completely engaged. What do you smell, what do you see? What can you hear, what are your fingers touching? How does it feel, what is the texture like? Engage in activities that engage your senses, and you will immediately be brought back into the here and now.

Life is unpredictable. There's no denying that. But each day can be rewarding and fulfilling if we allow it to be, and even though we may live more comfortable, longer lives than our predecessors, the fact remains that life is just as precious now as it was then, and each day has many moments of joy, peace, and satisfaction to offer. Prepare as best you can for tomorrow, but stop trying to live in it and instead relax, engage, and appreciate your precious day!

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