Clash! The unmistakable sound of a breaking bottle abruptly catapulted me into the present. My mind, entrenched in its habitual wandering state, wrestled with the haunting images from the past.
The struggle to anchor myself in the moment persisted .. overshadowed by the allure of dwelling in self-worry and rumination. The realization unfolded gradually, revealing clear steps to reclaim the present.
Today woke me up
holding my hand she said, I never left
I was always standing quietly by your side
while you were romancing Yesterday
- Today, 2021
Here is my uncomplicated framework to guide me.
Realize - Life, a kaleidoscope of thoughts, spanning the spectrum from good to bad, from the mundane to the profound. These thoughts infuse everyday occurrences with hues of joy, sadness, and everything in between. Yet, these very thoughts drag us into an unrelenting vortex of past and future, pulling us away from the essence of the present. Tools like meditation become lifelines, directing us back to the moment .. focusing on the rhythmic breath, feeling the tap of feet on a wet grass .. Countless avenues exist to ground us back to the present. The crux of life lies in simply 'being' – existing in the moment. Now and today are tangible, while everything else constitutes abstract blocks of thoughts, mere figments of imagination. Realizing this existential truth propels us into true existence; otherwise, we merely drift through life.
Every tick of the clock
ushers in a brand new moment
Yet neither you nor I know what it brings
The joy of life or the shadow of death
- The Moment, 2021
Accept - Thoughts possess an innate ability to wander, often traversing the dimly lit alleys of the past or the fuzzy roads of the future. Resistance proves futile, for these thoughts return with a vengeance. Instead, replace them with the gentle breeze of today. Ponder and savor what lies in front of you – relish the simple joys of everyday life .. enjoy that cup of coffee without the intrusive hum of the phone. Immerse yourself in the moment, and watch as new thoughts organically unfold and slowly replace the dark thoughts. Resist the urge to multitask .. immerse yourself in the purity of singular focus .. accept the thoughts.
Rejoice - With the adoption of the preceding steps, a profound sense of rejoicing begins to blossom. A blissful happiness envelops .. this is not implying the absence of worries, mishaps, or tragedies – they are inherent parts of life. It signifies learning to navigate through them, discovering the deep inner meaning of life, and basking in the elusive glory of nirvana. This is a feeling that defies expression; it can only be experienced, never fully articulated.
This is life, a gentle melody
Not a game of triumph or defeat
Not a race where you can retreat
It beckons us with its solemnity
This is life, a tapestry to weave
- an excerpt from the poem This is Life, Jul 2023