Be Present

 “Stop waiting for Friday, for summer, for someone to fall in love with you, for life.  Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it and make the most of the moment you’re in now.”

Author Unknown

1. When I first read The Daily Post prompt of “waiting”, I was going to write on how I’ve  spent the majority of my life waiting for it to really begin.  But when I started to write it, I only got as far as what I just wrote.  At first, I thought because I’d always wanted to have a passion or a direction/goal for my life and didn’t have it that I must be waiting for my life to happen.  However, I couldn’t actually write this because, in actuality, I have lived life as it came my way.  There were extremely hard times when I went into myself until I could figure it out and be present, but I always went back to living.  If an opportunity came my way, I did it.  This has especially happened since the one I loved died.  I have gone on trips, like the one to the holy lands and Egypt with my oldest, as well as taken excursions I knew I’d enjoy (like the helicopter ride with my sister friend where I was able to watch her experience her first ride in a helicopter as well as see a pod of dolphins – my favorite!).  This is the one part of my life of abuse, manipulation and pain that has turned out for the positive.  Because I lived moment-by-moment most of the time, I grabbed life, the good and the bad, and I fully experienced each of those moments.
2. Life is meant to be lived, no matter where you find yourself.  And that looks different for everyone.  For some it’s traveling, for others it’s curling up with good books, still others love getting together with friends while others it’s experiencing foods or going to movies.  The list goes on and on.  For most people, there are many things they enjoy doing.  Some want to do new things while others like staying with the tried and true activities with which they are comfortable.  No matter what it is, do it.  If you don’t know what it is, find out.  Try new things until you find what you like to do.
3. It seems that many people get stuck in the burdens and rough things that happen to them.  When this happens, it is like watching someone disappear.  There will always be problems, hurts and pain and they have to be felt and worked through, but it is a travesty to allow the pain to take over and eat away everything about you.
4. I have witnessed and heard of those in life who have had horrific things happen to them, a terrible physical malady or abuse, and they found a way to still be present in their lives.  Instead of crawling into their pain and disappearing, they, instead, meet others with smiles and caring.  They live life in the present moment and fully embrace those around them while making a difference through their circumstances.  It is inspiring and gives such hope to see them living their lives with nothing holding them back.
5. Stop waiting for life to happen.  It will be so sad if you get to the end of your life and realize life happened right around you while you were waiting for something else to present itself. Be present and don’t miss your life.

~ Joanna Lynn