What’s Hard About Living in the Present?

Today is Wednesday, January 29, 2014.

“What day is it?” asked Pooh.
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.

I admit, it’s almost impossible for me to think the way Pooh does.  My experience of life says that there are some really good days and some really bad ones. Even those days weren’t totally one or the other. There are also a whole lot of  so-so-ones and there have been a few that changed from fabulous to horrific in an instant, like the day last summer when I had a car accident while on a trip to Florida.

Still, somehow I got through the awful days and managed to leave behind he so-so days, as well.  The “good” days can’t come around too often for me, but even those have the potential to make me miserable when they have passed and I long to be able to replay them.

Actually, that’s the problem, right there: labeling.  When we label things as bad, difficult, stressful, boring, or unpleasant, we only end up making ourselves miserable.  In the tough times, we forget the wisdom that says, “This, too, shall pass.”

Of course, we are reminded of the impermanent nature of life when we label things as good, joyful, happy, blissful, wonderful, fabulous, etc., etc.   This, too, shall pass – even though we wish it wouldn’t.

If we stopped labeling things as good or bad, wonderful or awful, and just accepted experiences as they come without making value judgments about them, we might learn to prioritize today over yesterday and tomorrow, making it our “favorite.”  Each day contains experiences, all of which are meant for us to use as fodder for our growth and maturation as Soul.  Once each moment passes, we can never get it back again.  It’s gone.   Even if you believe in reincarnation, you have to admit that each life is totally unique.   You may end up having many more lifetimes here on earth, but none of them will be like this one.

It’s fine to replay pleasant memories once in a while or to review our past behavior to see how we could improve now and in the future.  It’s fine to spend a bit of time planning for the future.  But the bulk of our time needs to be spent right here and right now, because this is the only moment in which we can take action.  This is the only moment in which we can change, act, be, and love.

I’m going to do an experiment.  For the next thirty days, I’m going to say to myself, “It’s today.  My favorite day,” as many times as I can remember throughout the day, especially when I have the urge to label a day in a negative way.  I’m going to stop crying over spilled milk, forget about stressing over the future, and accept each day as it comes along.  I’m going to cross each of my bridges as I come to them and not before.  30 days from now will be February 28.  Perfect.  I’ll let you know then if it has made any difference.  🙂