Reality
“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present, the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.” ~Dali Lama
“Tomorrow and plans for tomorrow can have no significance at all unless you are in full contact with the reality of the present, since it is in the present and only the present that you live. There is no other reality than present reality, so that even, if one were to live for endless ages, to live for the future would be to miss the point everlastingly.” ~Alan Watts
It is very challenging to discipline thoughts and feelings that interrupt or dominate the present moment. The internal editor must be ever-diligent, eliminating negative chatter and negative thinking. The gifts of staying focused on the present moment, staying in the present moment, are many, chief among them inner peace. A regular meditation practice is an excellent way to learn to be in the present, and to stay in the present moment.
If you don’t have a regular prayer/meditation practice, I invite you to give it a try. Find a style that works for you, a style that is compatible with who you are and compliments your daily routine. If you have one this might be a good time to assess its effectiveness and make adjustments if necessary.
Blessings!
