You know those truths in life that you know to be true but still have a hard time abiding by? Most of them were likely taught to you in the form of a saying. For instance, practice makes perfect, early bird gets the worm, you are what you eat, and so on. We know these things to be true, right? But sometimes we don’t want to practice, we don’t want to get up early, and we certainly don’t want to be a carrot when we can be a cheeseburger instead. Well, all the different sayings that exist that speak to the importance of living in the present is what I wish to write about this week. And why do I want to share this topic? Simple. I want to discuss it, because I seem to be fighting the need to do it.
I know I need to live in the present. I know it’s a gift and that’s why it’s called the present. I know it. Apparently, I just don’t want to do it. I’m assuming it’s the crazed mind of a 37 week pregnant woman, but I just want to fast forward to the part where I get to deliver a healthy baby and learn the gender of kiddo #4. The waiting is slowly driving me mad.
This past Monday was a perfect example of a nearly missed opportunity to live in the present. I got to go to one of my favorite places and I had to continually tell myself to let go of my obsessive thinking about the unknown arrival of our baby and focus on the three babies and wonderful husband I already had with me on this gorgeous day. It seems absurd to me that I had to struggle to focus on the goodness that was right before me; the magnificent scenery of the lake, hills and trees and the pure joy of my kiddos playing in the clear water. What a waste the day could have been had I not at least attempted to let go of things I could not control about my future.
As I learned to let go, the time at the lake became more peaceful. It became more peaceful because I became more present in the moment. I even had an opportunity to float out on my own and just soak up the sunshine. Time seemed to slip away in a much more pleasing manner.
Lately, each minute has felt like hours. Time feels like it’s standing still, as my induction date seems to be forever ahead of me. My OB doctor assured me today that he has yet to have a patient stay pregnant forever, but boy do these last few weeks seem to be dragging on forever. I can’t help but think of this ecard I found on Pinterest that states, “Bless me with patience…Not opportunities to be patient, I’ve had plenty of those and they don’t seem to be working. The actual patience…”
So, here I am, slowly approaching 38 weeks being pregnant and trying to appreciate the opportunities I have been given to be patient. I learned long ago that the term, “I’ll be happy when…” never gets fulfilled in the way we think. I don’t want to live with the idea that, “I’ll be happy when this baby comes.” I’d rather live with the knowledge of, “I’ll be happy when I live in the present.” Sometimes, it’s just a little harder for me than I’d like it to be.
For others who have difficulty living in the present, it’s due to their need to hold on to matters in the past. I feel like I’ve been on that side of it too, but that’s a topic for another day.
If you’re living in any time other than the present, perhaps it’s best to apply the words that were spoken back in 1989 by the current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Thomas S. Monson, in a talk titled Go For It!, “The past is behind – learn from it; the future is ahead – prepare for it; the present is here – live in it.” My goal is to strive to do just that.
The present is here – I’m gonna live in it!
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