Too often we are caught up in our daily routine. Sometimes it appears to be a fight against time, to make dinner, to take care of your family, to manage your deadlines: almost as if you are trying to catch up with time as it is running away from you, leaving one with a sense of fear and anxiety. And while we are doing our uttermost best to strive for perfection and  manage our time in an effective and efficient manner, we somehow find ourselves between our past memories and anxiety for future events (which might never occur), causing us to sadly lose our sense of ‘living in the now’.

‘Moments are passing by without awareness, while emotions of happiness, joy, peace and serenity are squeezed in between and not completely felt. Which makes me wonder, aren’t we missing out?

‘’You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment..’’  (Henry David Thoreau), because ‘’All that is important is this one moment in movement. Make the moment important, vital and worth living. Do not let it slip away unnoticed and unused.’’  (Martha Graham). ‘’Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life’’. ~ Eckhart Tolle.

Yesterday, I went for an early morning walk and found myself standing on a beautiful bridge with an amazing peaceful view: simply breathe taking. Since I recently moved and do not feel quite familiar with my surroundings, I took a moment to stand there and embrace the view, while attempting to make every aspect of my environment my own. That is when I realized that for the past few months I have been so caught up trying to adjust and settle in, that almost every day felt like a marathon. To get used to a new environment, new individuals and to get on with life’s daily responsibilities almost became like a tornado filled with intense emotions and leaving me with a sense of restlessness, wanting to run in every possible direction, simply to catch up and make the most out of it. A feeling which sadly allowed me to forget to embrace the now: to embrace and cherish life’s every moment. In my attempt to make the most out of it, I actually managed to miss out on the true joys of life and managed to miscomprehend the simple moments of life. I failed to live each moment according to its immense value and to appreciate this new time, a new stage of life, a stage of life which might never return?

So we must ask ourselves: what is more valuable? To manage one’s time in a perfect manner, or to simply let go of the rush and embrace each moment and each step of life?

As we enter new stages in our life, our previous stages will never return, so why not make the most out of it? And live each stage, each moment and each step according to its true value? So, that tomorrow we will not regret rushing through some of the most beautiful moments of life, whether it was filled with pain, happiness, sadness or laughter. Isn’t it only fair that we give each moment the attention it deserves, rather than living our moments while dwelling on our past memories and future fears? We must never underestimate the power of living in the now and the serenity it gives to our soul. Just try it, simply let go of all the intense emotions, desires and fears. Let go and embrace the now, the stillness of the mind, tranquillity, peace and serenity – all in pursuit of observing the beautiful pearls hidden in our precious but yet often miscomprehended moments of life.

With my love,

Shaidi