Live in the Now!

The following is my paraphrase of a story I read in a book in the 1980s, obviously it made an impact on me ~ as evidenced by me remembering the tale.

One day a man was taking a hike in the mountains. Out of nowhere, a giant grizzly bear attacked him. Fearing for his life he ran hoping to lose the bear. To his dismay the bear continued to chase him.

He raced up a trail, only to find that is ended ~ at a steep cliff. As he turned around to head down the hill, he saw the bear gaining on him. Looking over the edge of the cliff he spied a limb growing out if the side of the mountain ~ so he jumped, just as the bear was about to maul him. With great luck the relieved man was able to grab hold of the limb to break his fall.

Just as he was about to drop to safety ~ he heard a ferocious roar. Standing directly underneath him, waiting for his supper, was a hungry tiger.

The man looked up and winced as the bear continued to stare at him. He then looked down at the hungry beast that awaited his fall. He noticed a strawberry growing on the side of the hill ~ so he reached over, picked it and ate it.

That was the end of the story. The message is clear ~ all we really have is “now.”

To me this is the best policy ~ it is impossible to change yesterday. What is done is done. Yes there are times we should make amends ~ but then we need to move on. As far as the good old days ~ they are gone too. It is time to make new memories in the present time. If we spend too much time ruminating on the past ~ how can we possibly enjoy the present time. There are lessons from yesterday that we need to apply to today ~ but to continue to relive yesterday ~ good or bad ~ can prevent us from feeling the beauty of today.

Tomorrow is uncertain ~ we don’t really know if it is going to arrive. Spending too much time worrying about something that may never come ~ also prevents us from fully embracing today. Yes ~ we should plan for retirement ~ for vacations ~ make grocery lists ~ all in anticipation that tomorrow will come. However ~ being overly concerned about what is going to happen in an uncertain future will drive you nuts!

My suggestion ~ eat the strawberry ~ enjoy it ~ today is all we truly have.