Why is it so hard for many of us to be entirely present to what is before us, right here, right now?
We have a lot of societal pressure to focus on the future. Most of us must plan our vacations well in advance in order to get time off from work. We must plan our finances to put our children through college, to secure our retirement. We make meal plans for our household to keep things running smoothly, we plan our weekly schedules for work and often for play, we plan by making lists and making appointments, ruminating and sometimes staying awake at night. This planning business can be downright consuming!
I am not saying that planning or being proactive about the future is bad in and of itself. Planning is a part of living life on this planet. I simply want to bring to your attention that all our future planning can keep us from enjoying the present moment. Some of us are such fervent planners that we have forgotten how to be in the moment.
Life moves quickly, my friends. If we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to truly engage, we might miss some of the best moments of our lives … because we are too busy planning the next moment of which we are likely to miss when it arrives because we are planning something else … Well, it’s a little like the dog chasing its tail, don’t you think?
So this summer, I urge you to get down on the floor and really “play” with your child or grandchild. Look into his eyes; see the sparkle. Observe the way your child holds his pen; listen to the lilt in her laugh, see the turn of her mouth when she is sad. Or put your ear to your animal friend’s chest and listen to its heartbeat, feel the warmth of its body. Hold your partner’s hand, notice nails, knuckles, grooves of skin, the energy that emanates from her palm into yours. Go outside and watch clouds move, notice the way wind shimmers leaves of tree…
The beautiful moments of life are before you, right here, right NOW! They are endless and waiting to be discovered.
In our hearts we know what yearns for our attention. Give it! Be in the moment … even for just a moment. Planning can wait … for a few more moments.
Blessings, Plynn
Plynn Gutman 
When my granddaughter comes over I get down on the floor with her and we play with her toys. I just love it. Playing and living in the moment is so important in life. Good blog post, Plynn. Thank you for sharing.
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