‘The Present’

Sunday and the twenty-fifth Covid blog.

There is something I have been giving much thought to lately and I think the current pandemic has very much brought this to the forefront of my mind.
I have had many conversations and discussions of late, these have related to the past and the future. As human beings I believe we tend to jump between these concepts.

This train of thought will mainly depend on each listener and circumstance. Our conversations of the present are often in the moment and sometimes we lose sight of their importance and far more often than perhaps we should.

Recently, due to circumstance, I have been talking about the past. When I was much younger I noticed that most of the older generation around me seemed to concentrate on this time in their lives.

A chat with a close friend about this subject left her remarking that it is easier to talk about the past when there are more days behind you than in front of you. An astute but sobering thought.

Memories are special and no matter what age we are they stay with us. So it seems logical that we hold on dearly to them, it also makes sense that we think more about them.

Our memories are unique, it may be that they are connected to a time when life was a little more carefree, each memory peppered with happiness and love but most especially, memories of those no longer with us.

I know that I am not alone in spending too much time looking and thinking straight ahead. Unfortunately, we live in a world that seems predestined towards this idea. Currently, we are all looking forward to the day when our lives finally return to normal.

When young, we cannot wait to grow up, until we eventually realise the reality and responsibilities it brings and we begin to wonder why?
Our careers usually require us to constantly look to the future; the next project, the next goal, the next objective, continually striving to improve and evolve. This is such an ingrained part of our society that it seems illogical to think in any other way.

It is no wonder then that we automatically plan ahead in our personal lives, I am no different. Covid for all of us has clipped our wings and although there is the odd shinning light, the future is again beginning to look rather cloudy. The ‘R’ rate is rising and with new restrictions it feels once more that the world is further on hold.

Thinking in this way restricts us from the present and we are all in danger of not allowing ourselves to enjoy the here and now.

We need to remember that our plotted course can change in an instant. Like many, I have been subject to a life of twists and turns, paths and roads I did not expect to follow. Some of these tracks have been unexpectedly harsh and difficult but there have been unforeseen spectacular routes too, leading to the surprising and sometimes downright marvellous.

We can so easily forget how far we have ventured and where we are right now in our life journey and so we sprint ahead in our thoughts and plans.

If nothing else, Covid has cruelly proved this theory of living in the moment, that for us all, it is important and without a shadow of doubt.

To this end I have set myself a task to try and live far more in the present. That does not mean my future plans are not important but I will try to remind myself more often of the here and now, so as not to miss the moments that might otherwise slip by without notice.

As much as our little island is changing and daily it seems, I think we need to make sure that we do not drown in tomorrow.

So, along with being brave I will add staying longer in the present to my list and try to practice equality with all three of these tenses.

This may sometimes feel impossible, today as always I am already planning for tomorrow’s work day. That does not mean that I will forget the present, just that I need to be mindful and ensure it does not pass me by.

Whatever your past and whatever your future may hold, remember to embrace the now, it deserves our undivided attention.

We never know what it may bring, there really is a reason it is called the ‘present.’ 🎁

Stay Safe,

Joy xxx