Now contains the seed of the rest of your life

Most people in our culture today are so busy running around trying to arrange their lives to be somewhere else. To be somewhere else geographically or financially or in our relationships. We want to be anywhere but here as we've been led to believe that if only, we can be somewhere else then our lives would work. This kind of escapism acts like a drug that only gives temporary relief to a chronic problem.

Apart from wanting to be somewhere else, most people also live by a philosophy of "someday" that allows them to manipulate time. "I can do it, but just not today. I'll do it when…" and they use these excuses to stay in their comfort zones. The problem is that both someday and somewhere are undefined and illusionary. Somewhere does not exist and someday never comes, although you keep hoping that it does. This can be very disempowering and result in disappointment and frustration.

The truth, however, is that right now is all you've really got. Tomorrow is never promised and learning to fully live in and for the moment is a vital distinction to make in creating a great life. Living fully in the present moment, doesn't mean that you lose your drive or purpose, but allows you to slow down to be able to enjoy the journey. Using someday as an excuse to soften your problems will not create long term success and fulfilment. There is always something you can do right now to turn your dreams into reality. There is always one small step you can take.

One of the most powerful resources we have is our resourcefulness. This means that right now you have all that you need to achieve whatever you desire and that you can take action with exactly what you've have and exactly where you are. You don't have to wait for "someday when" or "when I am..." before you take action on your dreams and goals. The smallest idea acted upon can make all the difference as it immediately makes your idea real and smothers someday because you used your willpower to consciously take charge. 

The purpose of pursuing a goal or a dream is not just in achieving it but even more so in the experience of achieving it. This became apparent to me when I was walking a part of the Camino to Santiago de Compostela, some years ago. Everything gets pretty stripped down when you only have a backpack and your own thoughts as a companion.

At first, I planned everything. How far I would hike, where I would spend the night, and then book a place in a hostel, to make sure that I would have a bed. That all went well enough, but the real magic kicked in when I decided to not plan and let the days shape themselves.

That was when small miracles started to happen. Having deep and meaningful conversations with spontaneous new hiking buddies, or the random encounter one beautiful morning in a clearing with three Spanish "cowboys" who were doing their Camino on horseback and being offered to accompany them for a little bit and my own horse to ride! To take one day at a time and to be fully present and open to whatever might happen. I wouldn't have experienced this, if I hadn’t allowed myself to let go of control and let the journey be the goal.

Whatever dream or goal you are pursuing, you will probably spend more time in pursuit of it than achieving it. To be able to enjoy and trust the process is where the true fulfilment comes from.

Live in the present but know where you are going. Slow down, tune in and listen. Be right here and celebrate and capture the magical moments of your life. Hold on to them as the treasures you get to take with you into your future. Life is not just lived in the moment but also created in the moment. Now is the best time to design the next years of your life. Let your intuition and gut feeling as well as your thoughts guide you and ask yourself: what is calling me right now?

Action is what eventually determines your destiny. Make choices that are grounded and aligned with your true values and beliefs and take action by consistently move in the direction of your choices. You are the source and the creator of your own prosperity, and it begins with a sense of appreciation and gratitude for everything you already have exactly where you are right now. One of the greatest privileges you have in life is that you can restart right now with exactly what you’ve have and create anything you desire as the resources you need are within you.

Living in a place called somewhere really won't serve you long term although it might feel good as a short-term escape or excuse. When you turn your "someday" philosophy into a "same day" philosophy you can start to adopt the mindset where you act on your ideas now with exactly what you've got and exactly where you are.

True happiness never relies on external conditions but is purely determined by your evaluation of where you are now. Now contains the seed of the rest of your life. See yourself as the gardener of your own garden. What do you want to see grow there? Plant it with joy and water it with gratitude and rejoice in your life for you are its creator. 

Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash