Living in The Time of Now

(Click for Audio) When I was learning archery from a local shop in Texas, the teacher realized how much trouble I was hitting the bull’s eye. He would whisper in my ear as I was preparing to let fly my next arrow:

“Focus on the target.
Let everything else blur.
Keep the target the focus.”

Of course, my eye dominance problem also forced me to change from a right-handed to a left-handed bow. But both actions made all the difference. Bullseye!

The right equipment matched my needs and whispered words told me to focus.

Easily, we live life focusing on everything and not focusing on the necessary. Our past grabs our attention with all the mistakes we’ve made, along with the victories we enjoyed. Equally at ease are we with thinking about the future and how great it will be to exist in that far-off place of time and possibly distance.

But reality strikes a blow at the mist of our dreams
and we awake to the present.
Today. This moment. Right Here. Right Now.
The past is a dream. The future is a wish.
We are easily trapped outside the present and struggle to live each day.
Oh, that we would learn to be present in the moment of now
and live the day with all we possess.
Give the day your entire attention.
It will bless you with good memories of your past
and prepare you sufficiently to enjoy the future before you.

Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
(Proverbs 27:1 NKJV)

The struggle for many is the focus. Their minds roam between yesterday and tomorrow. Some would label it as “daydreaming,” and others would call it the “fog of the mind” and tell you there are physiological reasons for your daze. Regardless of the label, you must find a way to take ownership of the moment.

Carpe Diem!

Carpe diem is a Latin aphorism taken from the Roman poet Horace and his work titled Odes, about 23 BC. A long time ago! Yet it is still used today by businesses, bosses, teachers, parents, and everyday workers. Grab the day and make it effective! Waste not a single moment in idle speculation about yesterday, or worrying about tomorrow.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about its own things.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
(Matthew 6:34 NKJV)

You have enough problems today not to waste time worrying about tomorrow! Equally stressing on yesterday is also a complete waste of our focus. In the eternal scheme of things, yesterday means nothing.

For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past,
And like a watch in the night.
(Psalms 90:4 NKJV)

My Day’s Thought

Yesterday can cover a wide gambit of time and memory. Living constantly in the maze of our past, we struggle to find an ending so we can enter the present. With a swipe of our personal power, we can change what we think about yesterday and start dealing with the present.

Equally, do not let tomorrow creep in, or else you will get lost in the fog of the future.

One of the things I do, and attempt to do (notice, I said attempt) daily, is to take a hard look at all the distractions that reach for my attention and focus.

Emails, platform builders, voice mails, social media, classes, books, and tasks list…
Even my own personal wishes and desires!
Each demands my attention, so it is easier to focus on everything
And organize their existence rather than getting things done that are important for today.
I have taken to decluttering, unfollowing, deleting, and even tossing to the recycle bin
the stacks of attention gathering stuff that I have before me.

My load is getting lighter because I refuse to pick more than I can handle.

Carpe Diem! Seize the day. Take charge. Do something productive. Live in the moment! Be success.