Living in the present

 


I'm convinced that truth and wisdom is found in many sources throughout the world. I love considering the insights I find in many places, including on Facebook and other places on the Internet!
This is a good example. Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher who lived sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries B.C., possibly a contemporary of Confucious (though some scholars believe he might not have been an actual person, and the writings attributed to him were really a compilation of sayings from a variety of Taoist thinkers). And in fact, it's probable that this quote is not from Lao Tzu nor the Taoist tradition. But we can consider its merit regardless. (I try to be careful about attributing thoughts to the right source....)
This saying is a generalization - clearly there are causes of anxiety and depression beyond the perspectives described. Sometimes living in the past, or in the future, can bring a good deal of peace as we remember cherished experiences or anticipate positive events. But the point is well-taken. Too much brooding about past mistakes, challenges, or lost opportunities can be quite depressing. Too much worrying about coming issues that may seem overwhelming can cause anxiety. And truly, there is a great amount of peace available when our greatest focus is on today, now, here.
I #GiveThanks for the blessing of insights that can come from many places and can bless our lives in many ways. I appreciate the reminder that brooding on my own past frustrations is not wise, nor is inappropriate uneasiness about upcoming challenges. Make the most of today!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Napping in public

Image
  As I get older, a good snooze now and then is a joy and a blessing. I seem to want to enjoy that blessing more frequently! Not a thing wrong with that, especially in the circumstance shown in the first photo (thanks Matthew for the photo).... As I was in a meeting earlier today, watching those seated in front, I had some flashbacks that involved others, and perhaps myself, who struggled with the particular challenge of staying awake in that setting. I remember thinking in the past, "How rude - not a very good example for a leader to doze off in front of everyone." But later I learned how hard it can be to remain alert, when very early morning meetings and a demanding schedule can wear on your ability to endure. I guess I had to "be there" to fully appreciate the struggle. Years ago I remember reading a delightful essay by BYU English professor Richard Cracroft titled "On the Vicissitudes of Serving in the Bishopric" (such a memorable title!) in which he
Read more

The bombing of Pforzheim

Image
My mother, grandmother, and uncle in Germany. After surviving the bombing and the war, they emigrated to the USA in 1952. February 23 was always my mother's "personal day of mourning" when she was alive. That was the anniversary of the day in 1945 when Pforzheim, her hometown in southern Germany, was obliterated by an allied bombing attack near the end of World War II (Germany was already crippled by this time and would surrender just 11 weeks later). The bombing raid lasted only about 22 minutes. There were 379 aircraft involved, dropping a mixture of explosive bombs meant to destroy on impact, and phosphorus bombs designed to spread fire. The downtown area, with its ancient, dry, timber construction, was totally destroyed - an area of about 2 miles by 1 mile, reduced to rubble. Surrounding residential areas were devastated; an estimated 83% of the town's buildings were gone. In addition to those who died from the explosions, fires, or burning phosphorous, many more
Read more

Life Accelerated

Image
You know when you're in an airport and you step on one of those "moving sidewalks" - you keep walking, but there's that little jolt as you feel yourself suddenly accelerate? Without any additional effort, you speed up and move faster towards your destination. I have sometimes felt that in my life. There have been times when the pace, the progress seemed rapid and relatively effortless. Suddenly I looked around and realized I was much further along than I expected to be! Sometimes you even feel the "jolt" of it starting and think, wow, I am really feeling things improve and speed up. But then there are other times when you think you might have gotten on the wrong side of the walkway; you fight and struggle, but it takes almost all of your effort just to not lose ground. I #GiveThanks for the times of rapid progress in my life; but also for the times of slow progress and greater struggle. In retrospect, some of the greatest learning and growth came when I was
Read more