We are born…we blink…and we are dying. In between we love and hate…laugh and cry…win and lose…give and take…break and grow…stand up and fall down…know happiness and sadness…we are brave and weak…we take chances…but not enough of them it seems.
Some of us have children…and we’ve known them forever. Some of us have children…and will never know them at all. We fill our minutes with life…or grow bored and scared and turn from it. We can’t wait…or we’ve waited long enough. We grow rich in some ways…and poor in others. We help…and are helped. Some of us live until we die…and others of us simply die a little bit each day.
Where were you one year ago today? What I mean by that is…HOW were you one year ago today? Emotionally…physically…financially.
What about NOW? Is your life better or worse as you see it? Do you have a “good” life…a “bad” life…no life?
Now think back to a year ago again…and recount the many days…weeks…and months you existed. Imagine how much time was spent working…grocery shopping…socializing…the moments of disbelief…excitement…sadness…peace…fearful times and quiet ones.
BLINK!
That year is gone…over and done…and it brought you here…NOW. Every smile…tear…gesture…taste…touch…action…reaction…all of it combined to bring you here to this page and this moment.
But this “now” is not an end point even though sometimes we think of it that way. This “now” is another beginning that leads to our future…and while this may sound insane it is already part of your past.
I’m sorry…what?
Yeah this is some crazy sh*t I’m writing but there is a moral: We need to live this “now” because it’s the only moment that counts for anything. The past is untouchable except in our memories…and despite all our plans and imaginary guarantees…the future is unknown.
That leaves us with this moment to live which means we should experience it completely…even if it sucks. I know whereof I speak because I’ve been there…and I AM there…which is here. I’ve always only been here…just as you are only here. Ever.
I am now going to see and experience and make decisions from this spot because this “now”…while eternal…is a very short time indeed. It is the beginning of my future…and the end of my past all rolled into one :30 second blink. (And I’m beginning to think I’ve overestimated that length of time. Whoa.)
Weird to leave my own comment…but I really like this post. I know it sounds a little crazy…but it helped me today. To remember…
OK…bye Andy Koehn!
Andy, sometimes there aren’t any words, but always impact. (I like it, too)
Thanks, Suze!
Brilliant and heartfelt, as always Andy. Everything you say bubbles up from the deep waters of your own personal experience. This post reminded of a line by Rene Char: “If we live in a lightning flash, it is the heart of eternity.”
Take care, my friend!
.-= nothingprofound´s last blog .. =-.
That is an intense line. Thanks for sharing…and especially thanks for reading and commenting. Brilliant? I’m not sure about that but I really like this one. It speaks to me. (I guess I have an active internal dialog happening up there…)
The concept of living in the NOW has been something I have pursued and stumbled with the past 5 years. It continues to be my focus. I like this piece. By the way, interesting you would have a watch that says NOW on it. That is part of a sketch I am doing for the Pay it Forward Project
Great Days to you Andy.
Meg…I can’t wait to see what you send in! (No pressure.) I’ve struggled with that NOW thing for so long…and it’s so hard for some reason. I’m going to come back and read this when I stumble as you say. I think it has to do with not thinking so damn much. Not sure…but it seems to be helping lately. Great days back! (And thanks!)
Terrific food for thought Andy. I do believe that learning to live in the now is the key that unlocks so much in our life … even though that key remains a little stuck in the lock for me, I will keep on trying to turn it. I am reminded of a quote too – It’s not that “today is the first day of the rest of my life,” but that now is all there is of my life.
.-= Marie´s last blog ..Poetry Friday =-.
I’m kind of into the NOW thing, Marie so I hope we’re right…that “to live in the now is the key that unlocks much in our life…” Thanks for stopping by again. Be good