I, like many others, find myself reflecting on the world today. There is despair over the seemingly extreme and senseless violence we are experiencing in the world. It can be hard to find the hope that things will change….and you need to have that hope. Hope alone, however, can keep you in the future and the future isn’t a healthy place to live. The future holds no current action, no attention of the moment, no joy, or happiness. Those things only come by living in the present…..aware of each moment, making choices in each moment….being “present”….and giving the gift of your presence and availability to those around you and that you love. I believe it is by focusing mindfully, and aligning in love and gratitude, for the many blessings in your life that true change will happen in the world.
Robert Holden in his book Happiness Now points out the incessant search for happiness that eludes many because they make their happiness dependent on future factors, i.e. when I lose weight I will be happy….when I get that new job….when there is peace on earth…when what I hope for happens. In fact, as long as happiness is in the future you never get to “be” there. Why not take the restrictions and requirements off this emotion and just give yourself permission to feel happy now? It may seem silly to have to give yourself permission to be happy, however, in a culture that equates achievement with success and success with happiness…..you need to stop, feel the beauty of living the moment, and allow yourself to feel not just hope…..but happy. Let that resonate out into the world!