In This Moment

Have you noticed that the theme “in this moment” seems to pop up more and more? There just might be something to it. If you’re not in THIS moment you must be in the past or the future and not the present.

Think about that for a moment – if you didn’t have to concern yourself with time. Babies are like that. When they’re tired they sleep. When they’re hungry they eat and stop eating when they’ve had enough.

I’ve had a few times in my life when there was only the present moment. This walk for peace was one of them. We let go of the day, the time, even the place. There was no concern as to which path we were on, where we were going or who we were walking next to.

We walked at our own pace which was great but the turtles and the hares quickly separated. After awhile we worked out a rhythm, a method so that we stayed closer, at least within yelling distance. We would take “catch up” breaks often and let the slower walkers go first. The fastest walkers would start last. By the time the giant steppers were in the lead it was time to take another break.

We lived each second as it flashed, stopping often for a Kodak moment. The majestic mountains we climbed (which, I swear, were pitched at 180 degrees) were adorned with living monuments of trees and scampering wild life.

Speaking of wild life, I remember passing a group of hunters starting out. Not one minute later a soft, furry bunny hopped across our path. As if on cue we all yelled, “Run rabbit run!” wildly waving our arms and stamping our feet. Hmmm. I wonder if the hunters shot anything that day.

We climbed the mountain in front of us to the next spectacular view of the neighboring peak and stood mesmerized. Some of us turned around as slow as the hands on a clock to drink in the wonder before us. I don’t know if it was the altitude or the plethora of foliage that had the air smelling so clean, so fresh, so crisp. I couldn’t breathe deep enough or often enough. I wanted to capture the smell, the taste, the newness of the air.

There has never been a time like the present in the whole history of the earth. We are evolving. The magnetic grid has shifted. Compasses point to an adjusted North. What a time to be alive! Today is the only day you have.

I thought about that when I was riding in the Red Car. (Remember the Angel in the Red Car story?) I sincerely took into account that that day could be my last one on earth. My reaction was to sit back and enjoy the ride while I listened to beautiful relaxing Italian music. If that was to be my last moment I was going to enjoy it, not spend it fretting over regrets.

Whatever you are experiencing is a gift. If you’re laughing, LAUGH. If you’re crying, CRY. If you’re sad, be SAD. If you’re mad, be MAD. If you’re happy, be HAPPY. Fully feel whatever it is you are feeling. Don’t ignore it. Don’t stuff it down. FEEL it. Now, I’m not saying to smash something or hit some body or to commit an action that you’ll regret later. All I’m saying is to OWN it. Own the emotion. Then it’s done. You’re finished with it. It won’t stay around to haunt you because you’ve gone through it, walked past it and released it.

And now you’re in a new moment. Brand new. No leftovers. Why do you think old people seem so old? They could be living with leftovers and regrets, with an old life. Be new! Live this new moment. It’s the only one you really have. And, you have all the time there is.