If you’re like me, you’ve heard wise sayings all your life. From “a penny saved is a penny earned” to “life is like a box of chocolates,” we’ve heard plenty. The one, however, that I read in a devotional book or even on Facebook has impacted me the most. I may not be quoting it exactly, but it is basically this: Dwelling on yesterday and worrying about tomorrow robs you of joy today.
What a wise saying.
The truth is, we all think about the past. We remember the happy childhood that seems so perfect now or dredge up past hurts and disappointments that continue to hut us today. We miss the happier times without realizing how lucky we are to have endured the bad times. We plan for the future and worry about finances, our loved ones, our health, and our jobs.
We can be so busy looking back or looking forward, we fail to appreciate where we are right now.
No doubt there are times we don’t want to focus on the now. Going through a health crisis or grieving the loss of a loved one or dealing with a broken relationship can make us long for better days, and that is perfectly normal. After all, we are human, and how we react to negative events is unique to each of us because of our varied personalities and abilities.
But what about all the times when life isn’t hitting us hard and dragging us down? What about the day-to-day events that are part of our routines and irritations? If we could remember that wise saying, could we not do a better job of handling and accepting things that really aren’t that important?
I have been guilty more than I want to admit of failing to appreciate the here and now, and I’m not saying I will never be guilty of it again. But I am sharing these thoughts in the hopes it will remind me, and maybe you, that we really do need to “stop and smell the roses” at times.
My favorite kind of day is a busy one. Whether it’s cleaning house or working in the yard or spending time with my young granddaughters, I love being so weary at night that sleep comes quickly and I can appreciate the bliss of a good night’s rest. When I’m inactive and bored, my mind goes places it doesn’t need to go. I wish for things I can never have, like my vision back or a fun job (I used to imagine myself selling tickets at Graceland so I could listen to Elvis music all day, ha ha) or living in a community with sidewalks and stores I can walk easily to since I can’t drive.
But the truth is, in both situations, I am learning to focus on today and look for the joys it has to offer. I’m doing my best to make the most of each moment and doing my best to help others in whatever small way I can. Doing that gets me out of my own head space.
As I write this, I realize maybe ten people will read it, and that’s okay. But if you, like me, feel the need to learn to appreciate today, I hope this blog is an encouragement to you. Whatever distractions and worries are bringing you down, I hope you can let go of them, at least for the moment.
Embrace today. It’s all we have.
Life As I know it 