The Present Life

We often think we have a say in how life goes. If we do this, then this will happen. If I try harder here, then there will be a different outcome. If I do what they want, things will be okay. And yet, we really don’t have a say in how life will turn out. We are meant to take the journey on this path of life. At time the choice we make can directly impact the next steps of the journey. At times, the next steps of the journey will take place regardless of the choices we make.

The old saying goes – In Acceptance There is Peace – and there is much truth to that. We may be happy with our choices and other times wish it was different. We may have what we want and other times we miss it by inches (or maybe miles). We may lose people in our lives, we may gain the unexpected connections. Fighting the reality of today, what is today and to try to change was has already happened is counter to acceptance and is counter to peace.

For the early parts of my life I have fought against living in the present. I have dwelled, relived and replayed life in the past so many times I feel as though I have lived that life multiple times. In an effort to not live through the pain of the past, I have tried to control my future with choices made and pushing for situations that seemed right. And in so many cases I have forgotten to live in the present.

To live in the present, truly live in the present, is to accept the past as it was. I can learn from it but I cannot change it. To live in the present, truly live in the present is to be open to the future as it will come, and the choices I make may or may not sway future outcomes. To live in the present, truly live in the present, is to accept the present. And there is where the joy, gratitude and happiness reside.

I have lived at times reliving the past and trying to control the future. And now I choose to live in the present life, to find acceptance, to find peace. To take each day as a gift, a present, that is truly is. To welcome, within reason, to the people that come into my life as a gift. And to let go of people who choose not to stay as a reason or a season. And for today, I choose the present life. ~ChaCha