First, I apologize for my tardiness in releasing a new
blog. Between the holidays and work, it
has been a bit hectic.
Second, let’s talk about Life. What is life?
In this case, we are not getting into the whole technical and heavily
debated scientific version of life. I am
speaking of YOU in this moment, in this here and now. I am speaking about the very second you are
reading this.
Many people spend a great deal of time with regrets,
mistakes, should have, could have, why didn’t I, etc., etc. This is a pointless exercise in futility and
takes up precious time at that moment.
Sivananda Saraswati (or Swami Sivananda) wrote, “Do
not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind
with grief, regret and depression. Do not repeat them in the future.”
The Swami was a very wise man. You should read some about him from my ever-favorite
Wikipedia. Here is a little recap and a
link to the information on him. He was
born September 8, 1887 and died July 14, 1963.
Swami Sivananda was a Hindu spiritual teacher and a proponent of Yoga
and Vedanta. He was born Kuppuswami in
Pattamadai, in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India. He studied medicine and served in British
Malaya (now modern-day Malaysia) as a physician for several years before taking
up monasticism. Here is the link to the
full information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sivananda_Saraswati
The other is to get lost in dreaming of the future or
striving for a rigid and all-consuming goal.
Many times, we become so focused on these dreams or goals, we forget to
live life in the present. We need to
remember the greatest part of the dream or goal should be the journey. Chandra Kochhar, born November 17, 1961, is
the managing director and CEO of ICICI Bank.
She is widely recognized for her role in shaping banking in India. Her
take on goals and the journey are very astute.
“Aim for the sky, but move slowly, enjoying every step along the
way. It is all those little steps that
make the journey complete.”
Fascinating modern-day business executive. Here is a Wikipedia link on her. I believe you will find it both fascinating
and interesting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanda_Kochhar
So, now we have banished obsessions with the past and the
future. Then what?
How about right now. My
all-time favorite philosopher is Buddha.
His words, granted as translated into modern English, always seem to be
simple and to the point. They offer wisdom
without judgement and focuses on personal thought and well-being and love for
all living beings. One of his most
famous quotes is, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the
mind on the present moment.”
I would say the greatest change in becoming an older human
being (and yes, when you near 60 you are an older human being, like it or not
and no matter how good your plastic surgeon is), or at least for me, was
developing patience, forgiveness to others and yourself for mistakes, hurts and
wrongdoings, and learning to cherish this very moment.
My focus on living and loving in the moment is because the
flip side of that wisdom as someone older is that you find time is no longer
this intangible thing you rail against as a young person that is preventing you
from reaching your goal. As a child
wanting to be a teenager. As a teenager
wanting to be an adult. As an adult
wanting to be respected and working towards career goals and finding that
perfect relationship. All in such a
hurry you do not take the time to simply marvel at the journey of life.
I promise you, slowing down and contemplating the here and
now, is a far more relaxing and freeing way to live. Be the best you possible, but in the
here and now. Don’t dwell on the past
and don’t let the future be all consuming.
Another very wise quote from cancer survivor, Kathy Giusti, is very
relevant to this topic. Please take the
time to learn a bit about her. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathy_Giusti
“If I’ve learned anything, it’s to live in the moment, and the gift
that cancer gives you is, you just assume I’m only here today, and I am going
to seize that moment and cherish it.”
Live life!
Namaste,
Tom
