The Power of Now

We continue with the signs that you are undergoing a spiritual awakening. See the post for January 3 for the complete list.

Today’s item:   6. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

All you have is NOW. And now THIS moment. And now THIS moment. And tell me, how are you feeling RIGHT NOW? And are you enjoying yourself as you are reading these words NOW?

The basic idea is that all we have is NOW. The past is gone and we cannot influence it; the future isn’t here yet and our experience has taught us that are are absolutely incapable of knowing what the future is going to be like. As I’m writing these words, expecting to finish my thought, someone comes by and knocks on my door. Once again, the future I envisioned has already been changed.

For many, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the emphasis on the NOW that we find in so many spiritual writings, including the words of Our Savior: “NOW is the acceptable time. NOW is the day of salvation.” And remember that He taught us to pray, Give us this day our daily bread. Give us THIS day. Not yesterday, not tomorrow. Here and NOW.

If you would like to do further reading about this, I strongly recommend a book which was a best-seller for a number of years running: “The Power of Now” by Eckhardt Tolle. But in the meantime, in this NOW that we have together, I’d like to make a few suggestions:

·         Periodically during the day, focus your attention on the NOW as a slice of time and say to yourself, “All I have is now.”

·         In the NOW you meet God. He promised that he would be with us until the end of time. Well, this time is NOW and He is with you. Be aware of his presence with you, no matter where you may be or how you may be feeling.

·         Find God in the ordinary things, the moments, the simple. Don’t look for him in holy places or in people or things that you think are holy. Find him in the dish you are washing or the weed you are pulling from the ground. Find him in the unexpected. Find him even in the tragedies of life.

·         Is your NOW painful? Unite it with Christ on the Cross and you will experience the pain transforming.

·         Is your NOW full of joy? Pray that others may experience the joy that you are experiencing RIGHT NOW.

It takes practice to learn to think this way, to learn to experience your life as a succession of NOWs. But to the extent that you are able to do this, you will indeed find yourself enjoying and cherishing each moment.

In 7 minutes I have to go a conference to someone. NOW I am enjoying writing the conclusion of this reflection. And NOW I have finished. Thanks be to God! And may God bless you NOW.