Living in the Now

Many spiritual traditions focus on the power of living in present time.  The Zen master Dogen says: Time seems to be beyond but it is now. Time seems to be over there, but it is now” (see article link here).  Jesus taught in the gospel of Matthew, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (Matt. 6:34).  This doctrine must be applicable to us mothers because old ladies in the store often say, “Cherish every moment because it goes by before you know it!”  But what does it look like to live every minute to its fullest potential and be truly present in the now?  We can see little examples of living in present time as we watch our little children.

            The comment, “Are we there yet?” shows how kids are experiencing their “now” world; because 5 more minutes or 100 more minutes still equals car seat immediate imprisonment.  Children play contentedly for hours in the sand with sticks and a cup and water.  They also have a hard time recalling the past because the present matters so much more to them.  “What did you do today?” or “Did you have a good day?” are difficult questions for children that are usually answered with descriptions of their activity and feelings at the current time.  Noticeably different than adults, children have so much energy—physically and mentally!  So, how do we then emulate children and become creatures who enjoy the “now”?  Are we really all that less energetic about present time than children are?

            Adults expend energy conservatively.  We look for parking spaces close to the building’s entrance so we can save time and don’t have to walk as far.  We only allot specific time for our physical movement, called “exercise” or “working out”—and it takes great will power to consistently do it a little every day.  We worry a lot about the future: “Will we find a job?  Can we sell our house?  When can I get to the store?  How can I fix my routine so it’s perfect and I can just go on cruise control?  What’s for dinner tonight?”  And we think (or at least have feelings) about our past.  Actually, it’s issues with our past that drain us so much and actually lead to illness, heartache, low energy, and narcissism.  Imagine that every morning we are blessed with 100 “grace dollars” to be used throughout that day.  We spend it (and save a bit) just by living consciously moment to moment.  This currency is also our energy, prana, or life-force.  We may figuratively use $7 in calmly preparing a lovely meal and another $15 in teaching a child to swim.  These uplifting activities are also investments that create nice memories which pay dividends later.  By the end of the day, we may feel so glad to go to bed because our daily currency has been spent and we’re ready to renew during sleep. 

The most expensive activities include things like a 26-dollar argument with a family member or financing negative beliefs we carry from our past.  When we have any lingering anger, blame, or resentment toward people or past events, we must use our daily energy to keep those old feelings alive, or at least available when we want to tell that old story.  It’s like yucky old wounds we maintain in order to make sense of a situation or to keep tabs on justice.  Just think of a past event that hurt you but you have chosen to forgive and move on.  The memory exists, but the emotional drama is gone.  Imagine the pain and draining feeling you would have if you constantly chose to be bitter about that issue.  Aren’t you glad you’ve let it go?

Truly forgiving is the true essence of Christ’s gospel.  On the cross, after the torture and injustice he endured, he said, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).  His example on earth culminated in forgiveness.  “The son of man hath descended below them all.  Art thou greater than he?” (D&C 122:8).  Holding onto old wounds is draining to our spirits and can only be remedied through the power of forgiveness.  But, how do we really forgive?

Our minds alone are not clear enough to think through forgiveness to its end.  Many times, our frail minds are part of the problem!  Good reasons are not enough to touch our deepest self.  We need help from God to reach our souls and cleanse our spirits.  Prayer is the key.  We need the grace of God to hover over us and change us totally.  Moroni taught, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen” (Moroni 7:48).  When this awesome miracle happens (over and over), we are altered fundamentally and we are living the life, in each moment, which we came to earth to live.

More photos of kids enjoying each moment (please post some of yours too):

 Zeb, my 5 year old as "Wolverine"

 Liberty Simmerman (learning to crawl)

 Eppie, Ellyn (my niece), Boaz, Zeb, and Abish

 Eppie jumps from the windowsill

 Abish does a flip onto the couch

 Zeb underwater

In the paper: Ellyn and Boaz play on the shore of Navajo Lake; 

Szczesny kids read stories in the morning