Since November 20, 2015 when I lost my 52 year old brother, I have felt overcome by grief, but I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Through prayer and being quiet with myself, God is replacing my sense of loss with the sense of His undying love for me. Yesterday, this happened to me:
As I sat in meditation, I got clarity about some things that I was troubled about. I was starting to let thoughts and feelings about the future overwhelm me. I had forgotten that I had won all of my past victories by living in the present moment and being grateful for all that I have in that moment. In the Bible (Matthew 6:25) Jesus said, "Take no thought for your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than meat, and the body more than clothes?" Wow! This scripture came ALIVE within me and I realized that I have to make a daily conscious effort to live in the NOW.
So, what does living in the now look like for me? I am glad that you asked (smiling). Please see my list below:
- I am not concerned about exactly when I will graduate from my doctoral program, I will just stay focused on doing well in the class that I am taking right now.
- I will not worry about how high gas prices will be tomorrow, next week, or next month. I am simply grateful that I have enough to put gas in my car today.
- I will not worry about all of the things that I lost, I will focus on how grateful I am for what I have right now in the moment.
For me, this simple paradigm shift of my thoughts is a lifesaver to me. I feel more calm and more centered knowing that my only job is to LIVE IN THE MOMENT.
Leave me a comment if you will join me in this effort. Let me know how YOU will choose to live in the moment!