Be in the moment. Appreciate the here and now. Accept that the past is unchanging and the future unpredictable.
You can plan things out as much as you want, but the reality is that the future is outside of our control. Ask any professional athlete and they'll tell you; they don't take the opportunity to practice and play for granted, because it could all be over in one unforeseen split second. Just ask Greg Oden. Who's Greg Oden? Exactly my point.
We are always so eager to move on to whatever is next. Whatever is next is always better than whatever is now. We simply can't wait for this or that thing to happen. I remember how I "couldn't wait" to get my license, and once I finally did, I realized that this whole paying for gas thing was a real bummer. I "couldn't wait" to be a senior on the team, and once I was, I realized how much time had passed and how little was left. We have a tendency to overlook what is for what may be.
There's a short passage I came across about a year ago that I revisit from time to time. It's a reminder to remain in the moment. Anonymously submitted, it goes like this:
First I was dying to finish high school and start college.
And then I was dying to finish college and start working.
And then I was dying to marry and have children.
And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could return to work.
And then I was dying to retire.
And now, I am dying ... and suddenly I realize I forgot to live.
Deep, right? I thought so.
We have become very good at preparing to live, but not nearly as good at living. We know how to sacrifice years for a diploma, skip nights out to save money, trade experience for avoidance, but we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in the present moment - the only moment there is for us to be alive.
As a kid, my dad always told me to control the controllables - effort and attitude. Effort includes your preparation and your execution; attitude is pretty self-explanatory. Back then, I needed to understand that I couldn't control the refs, the opponents; I couldn't control my playing time or the game's outcome. I could only control the controllables.
As an adult, I've learned that I can't control the opinions or decisions of others; I can't control whether I get the job or not. Most of all, I can't control the future. I can only control the controllables.
I've since grown to add the present moment - the here and now - as one of my controllables.
As far as how time in our lives is spent, it's the only controllable. Don't let go of this fact. Regret is generally a byproduct of nonparticipation.
Why is it that our moment of clarity always comes after the fact? Can we not be proactive in both our pursuance and protection of the things we love and enjoy?
There is a cost to living in the shadows of life. Don't look back and long for change; make the changes right now! I challenge you to take full advantage of today and to not let the effects of the past nor the implications of the future (within reason) to cloud your ability to seize this day and enjoy this moment.
Most importantly, don't forget to live.
