Another trip into Business Land has come and gone. At first, I grumbled about needing to travel for work over the holiday weekend.
Then, I realized that my feet were in California, my flight home wasn’t until noon on Saturday, and I could wake up early and enjoy the beach!
So often, we think about where we’re going (or where we want to go) in life instead of where we are at this very moment . About 10 minutes before taking this picture I was packing my suitcase and dreading the plane ride home. Then it struck me. I was near the beach and had two hours to live in the moment of NOW.
Had I kept looking into the future instead of the NOW, this is what I would have missed…
Crashing waves (whoosh) sea gulls (whaaaak, whaaaak, whaaaak), the whisper of a cool breeze off the Pacific Ocean (shhhhhhhhhhh), and people having fun (hahahaha).
Can you hear it?
Life unfolds before us in the present…right in front of our own two feet. Too often, we let the present slip away…unnoticed…unseized…and wasted away while we’re worrying about the future. When we’re away from our family, we long to be with them. When we’re with the ones we love, sometimes we can’t wait to get away. At work, we think about going on vacation. On vacation, we think about the work that’s piling up on our desks.
Life is more enjoyable when your body and your mind are in the same place.
I’m going to take my own advice and enjoy the NOW, back home in Pittsburgh, with the minutes of the July 4th weekend ticking away.
Where are your feet today?
The Chameleon's Backbone 
Posted by Carl D'Agostino on July 3, 2011 at 11:04 am
But the footprints are bas relief so his feet are sticking up and out so he must be walking under the sand not on top of it. Or is it my glasses? Or your camera? Or a UFO. Quite a few times I have had to prevent my feet from going in ill advised direction and places.
Posted by Tracy on July 3, 2011 at 11:07 am
It does look like that, but those are my feet pressed into the sand. Maybe it was UFO camera magic, Carl. Keep stepping in good directions. Enjoy the holiday weekend!
Posted by Yadayadafishpaste on July 3, 2011 at 11:10 am
What a delightful post, Tracey!
I am very much battling with my circumstance. I’m looking ahead and thinking about all the things that I don’t want and I’m tripping over it when I think about the next 6 months. I don’t even know how it is going to pan out or who I might meet along the way, but I’m so tired of being where I feel like I’ve been for so long that I struggle to think of anything else but how to change it to something better. I’m impatient, frustrated and find myself doing nothing other than grope for something that I think will me a sense of stability – a space for ME – again ~ a space where I can do things the way I want and like and where someone else’s feelings don’t govern everything.
Initially I tried to have my feet in the sand and think of the endless possibilities. Then, as time passed and none of them realized I became – at times almost obsessed – with working things out. My carelessness and sense of adventure and (feels like) my courage has gone out the window and all I want is direction and a sense of fulfillment. Sometimes I feel like that is what matters most to me right now. Then again, what if I’m just chasing the wind…?
I’m so glad that you enjoyed your 2hr stay. I love the pic of the footprints in the sand!
Posted by Tracy on July 4, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Thanks for sharing Laine. I think of it like this….
A few years ago, I wanted to run a 10 mile race. I knew where the finish line was, and it seemed like a long way to get there. I started to run, then slowed down, walked a little while, jogged, stopped for some water, and then ran some more. It doesn’t really matter if I ever reached the finish line or not, because each step forward was having an impact. LIfe is the same. Embrace each step, pointing your feet in the direction you want to travel. One day you will look back and realize that every step was important, no matter how big or small it seemed at the time.
Posted by Ron on July 3, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Brilliant post, Tracy!
I love every single word of it!
“So often, we think about where we’re going (or where we want to go) in life instead of where we are at this very moment .”
You are soooo correct. For me living now, in the moment, is what gives me the inspiration to move in the future. It’s taken me many years to understand and live by that.
“Life unfolds before us in the present…right in front of our own two feet. Too often, we let the present slip away…unnoticed…unseized…and wasted away while we’re worrying about the future. ”
Amen!
Thank you so much for sharing this today, girl.
Glad you had a great time in Calif. The pictures are AWESOME!
Have a great 4th of July!
X
Posted by Tracy on July 4, 2011 at 3:20 pm
“….living in the now, in the moment, is what gives me the inspiration….” It’s taken me years to recognize that also, and now that I have, all the little things add up to something amazing, called today.
Happy 4th of July, my friend, from across the great Commonwealth of PA!
Posted by 1959duke on July 3, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Just got done repairing a closet shelf for my wife.
Posted by Tracy on July 4, 2011 at 3:16 pm
…and I’m certain she appreciated it! Didn’t she?
Posted by judithhb on July 3, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Oh you are so right Tracy. We do miss that wonderful sunset, the first flowers in the garden after a long wet winter, the smile on a child’s face because we are so busy working out what we will do next and forget NOW.
Great post and fabulous pics. Oh yes, and have a fun July 4,
Judith
Posted by Tracy on July 4, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Stopping to smell the flowers is a great way of looking at it. I think I’ll go outside and do that right NOW :-), since it’s just stopped raining.
Posted by pattisj on July 3, 2011 at 7:28 pm
I love the quote about life. Glad you made the time for NOW. A very good practice for all of us to undertake.
Posted by Tracy on July 4, 2011 at 3:14 pm
A very good practice indeed. Happy Independance Day!
Posted by Carol Ann Hoel on July 3, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Great thoughts, Tracy. Now is a wonderful time to enjoy. My feet are under my chair at my computer enjoying the posts and comments of bloggers. It’s a good place to be at this moment. Blessings to you…
Posted by Tracy on July 4, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Stay in that good place…where ever it may be. Wishes to you for a wonderful holiday weekend!
Posted by 1959duke on July 4, 2011 at 4:06 pm
I do think we get so caught up in our rush to go from here to there that we miss the journey along the way. As that song says ” you’ve got to stop and smell the roses”. The thing is if you don’t it will be too late.
Posted by Tracy on July 6, 2011 at 11:01 pm
You’re right – and the rose might die on the vine.
Posted by blueviolet on July 5, 2011 at 2:22 pm
I definitely have to remind myself of that sometimes, but I am way better than I used to be. I’m glad you enjoyed that beachy time!
Posted by Tracy on July 6, 2011 at 11:03 pm
I think I’m going to invent a watch with no hands that says “the time is now.” Hum…I wonder if that would make me move faster or slower??
Posted by Laura Best on July 5, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Living in the now takes practice and patience, but definitely worth it. Makes me wonder how many things I’m missing in life.
Posted by Tracy on July 6, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Laura – I don’t think you’re missing much – from reading your blog you are always into doing something!!
Posted by Joanne Tombrakos on July 6, 2011 at 7:01 am
Great post and such a great reminder to stay present! Thank you !
Posted by Tracy on July 6, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Thanks Joanne; GREAT to see you here!
Posted by Kalli on July 6, 2011 at 9:47 am
so true live in the moment and you can enjoy! love this!
Posted by Tracy on July 6, 2011 at 11:11 pm
Reading your posts about biking totally captures the moment of now. When I’m on a bike, it gives me time to think but I more focus on the now…or else an accident is bound to happen :-).
Posted by Bonnie on July 6, 2011 at 11:05 am
“Life is more enjoyable when your body and your mind are in the same place.” What wise words, Tracy! So many of us are guilty of ‘wishing our lives away’ for whatever reason – the weekend, vacation, etc. What a great reminder for us to take a step back and enjoy the now!
Posted by Tracy on July 6, 2011 at 11:08 pm
If only we could get the clock to tick a little slower.:-) I think living in the present does slow time down a bit, or at least enough to make good memories.
Posted by Jo Seable- Schaffer on July 6, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Sounds like a great trip. I’m California born and raised and I miss it.
My feet are home– but my head is still in Scotland. (=
http://jostorm.blogspot.com/
Posted by Tracy on July 6, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Welcome back to the States Jo!