When I first thought of framing this A-Z series, I was sure
each letter would start with a noun. As it is meant to reflect a significant
aspect of my life, it was obvious that only a noun could do the necessary justice.
Hence using an adverb ‘Here’, instead of conventional words ‘Happiness’, ‘Honesty’
or ‘Hope’ for ‘H’ demanded lot of contemplation and reasoning. As I attempted
to convince myself about an unusual word, I realized that it meant something
worthy enough to go against all odds. Thus, the birth of this off-beat post
with a novel start.
Unless we come
across any life changing experience, we refuse to adopt necessary corrections
into our system. We may know about its need, benefits, value and glory, yet find
it difficult to bring it within. Only when it presents a larger picture, do we
realize the need to attend to it. One such close experience and life changes
for good. If only we decide to find the hidden message behind circumstances, we
can appreciate why it came to us in the first place.
This brings us to the‘here’,
‘now’ and ‘it’. In the race against time, we always find ourselves in our
running shoes. As we ascend one step at a time to the next rung on the ladder,
we realize that the goal is still further away. While living our dream and
meeting our targets, it is impossible to rest or give up. The good, better and
best is always ‘yet to come’, making it essential to focus and concentrate.
No matter how many
deadlines you meet, there are always some more, waiting in the wing. By the
time you experience a sense of satisfaction, you may be clouded by plans, ideas
and strategies for the next one. This kind of engagement is absolutely
essential. Unless we have goals to look forward to, we cannot extract the joy
of living. Staying occupied with targets ensures hard work and happiness. It is
what drives you to get out of a cozy warm bed on a cold morning. Without any
aim or without any plan, we may be nothing but wanderers in a wide forest.
But, is it essential
to run behind things, without halting for a while to appreciate and celebrate?
Why are we so engrossed in planning about the future step,
way before we savor the present?
Why does the next milestone seem so amazing, that we forget
the joy of reaching the current one?
Why do we tend to think that our settled or retired life
will be satisfying, when our present one could also be the same?
And why do we run to reach the next step, when we can stroll
and appreciate every step on the way?
Right from
childhood, we are programmed to think about the future. It unknowingly shapes
our thought process to imagine that the best is yet to come. There is
definitely nothing wrong in harboring dreams for the grand life ahead, but not
at the cost of forgetting to live today. When we reflect over the journey so
far, we remember the memories and moments, than the struggle that brought us
here. Instead of worrying about every future step for the fear of failing, why
don’t we concentrate on the present?
If you are one of those who always valued
their present moment over the future and continue to do so, take a bow. Not
everyone is programmed to live in the ‘here’ and ‘now’... at least I never was.
For me, the future
always appeared tempting, mysterious, huge and essential, taking away every possible
bit of energy. Like a mirage that offers hope of water on a barren dessert, the
‘there’ and ‘then’ appeared more appealing. We tend to run behind that false
water, forgetting to appreciate the scenery around. The ‘now’ may not be as you
hoped, but it is something that is happening ‘live’. Those precious moments
will not return back, if we waste them over analysis and strategies.
The ‘it’ in title is
different for each one. For some it may mean money, position, status, adventure,
experiences, happiness or assets. It can be anything for anyone and none of it
is right, wrong, correct or incorrect. But, what is incorrect is failing to
pause, halt, appreciate and enjoy. Soak in the present moment, only then will
your ‘today’ be as colorful as the most awaited next ‘holiday’.
No job is the ultimate one, no house is the
final one or no lifestyle is the perfect one. We all desire for something more
or different from the existing. It is good to stay so in order to progress
ahead, but not unless you concentrate on enjoying the present. Your humble home
now may not be as large/comfortable/desired as the one you have planned, but it
still covers your head. Appreciate what lies ‘here’ and ‘now’, only then
‘there’ will be good too.
What is the way to
do so? Read along as I chart some pointers for my dreamy heart and restless mind. Share your take over the same, while I convince my life to be ‘here’
and ‘now’.
1.
Be present- physically, emotionally, socially,
mentally and ‘thought’ lly
2.
Spend every single day as a unique project –
accept the good, bad, wanted, unwanted and every single feeling with open mind
3.
Focus and concentrate on the task in hand
4.
Don’t live in your thoughts. Thinking is a task
too, hence designate time to ‘think’, rather than running it as a background
score, along every other job
5.
Communicate your thoughts
6.
Listening to others is also a task
7.
Respond when asked to, stay away from judgements
and analysis
8.
Over thinking is totally unproductive, invest
that energy in doing than dreaming
9.
Everything will fall in place, but not the
current moment, it demands your attention and focus
10.
No task is small, hence respect everything you
do and give your 100%
11.
Some things can wait, hence pause your chase to
celebrate, appreciate, love and laugh
12.
You cannot wipe out your past errors, mistakes, misunderstandings
or worries, then why regret? Let it go, make sure to avoid a repeat telecast.
13.
Take lessons to be happy. Though the easiest
task within our reach, we fail to learn and practice it. Make it a priority to
be happy, schedule it in your task-list. Make it your own, before you feel
alien, unusual, unbelievable or weird to be happy.
This is the location
and now is the time to do what you always wanted. Future is bright but not
unless you switch on the light in the present. Spread smiles, laugh more,
radiate happiness and feel the difference, because that is all you can do here
and now!
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