The other day, while journaling and writing my morning pages, I started thinking about what I had to do that day and the days that followed. And it occurred to me, why am I fussing over what has to get done over time when tomorrow is not promised? Why am I worrying, creating, re-arranging, and stressing over a day that has yet to arrive?
I thought about how much time is wasted on that alone, when all that is required for us to handle is today, this moment, the present.
I find that so many people juggle the future, and believe me, I am not exempt, but I thought, how silly is that? It removes us from enjoying what is right before us.
We are planning for what’s ahead when what’s right before us/you is what’s most important. Why are we stealing time from the present when the future is not guaranteed? Why are we consumed and yearning for what may never come? We plan, create, and build on an idea, a concept, and a structure that may never pan out. I write this at this stage of my life, because I wasted, yes wasted a lot of my life creating memories and conjuring up experiences for the future, not recognizing how much of the present I was neglecting.
We all do it.
If truth be told, I have a list on my computer of things I need to get done for the month and a pad on my desk with a list of tasks for the day.
We make plans, create structure and order, leaving little to no room for fun and the unpredictable. And when the unexpected happens, we crumble, our plans crumble, and everything feels hopeless. We have built an illusion of “if and when” instead of “now and how”.
I am incredibly grateful that I have finally reached a stage in my life where I can sit with myself and not worry about tomorrow. I can sit and read a book without feeling guilty that I am not being productive. I can walk around my neighborhood and enjoy the landscapes and neighborly conversations.
We can all get there, no matter what stage of our lives.
It’s about “living”, not “striving”. When we strive, we are working for something that we hope to obtain; when we live, we are present in the moment, recognizing the things that are before us that require our attention in that moment.
I urge you, if you are reading this and are a “planner”, “striver”, lay it down. Live in the moment. See the things around you that need your immediate attention.
Stop forecasting the future with color-coded calendars.
Stop arranging and re-arranging schedules.
Stop searching on the internet for the best of everything and anything.
When you stop you will feel lighter, less stressed, and focused. The tasks that need to get done will be there waiting. The plans you need to schedule will be waiting for you. The calendars will be there when you sit down again. The searches will be available to you when you get back on your computer.
But, stop the chaos and live in the simplicity of the moment. That is where “life thrives”. That’s where memories are created. That’s where stories are told from. That’s where authenticity lives. That’s where genuine connection is felt.
Take time to be spontaneous and let tomorrow wait its turn.