Sometimes we spin our wheels thinking about the hard times and future worries, don't we? I know I do! I'm trying to do less of that and more of living in this moment. Of course, remembering and planning are important, but these are things I do - not places where I choose to live.
Even in the darkest times, it helps me to remember this, and so I wanted to share it with you.
A short play in one act.
Wise One: You seem frantic and sad, caught between regrets and future worry.
Frantic One: Can't argue with that.
Wise One: Maybe it would help if you could just think about right now. Maybe you would see that you really are okay.
Frantic One: What? Right now is horrible! Look at me. I'm hurting, I'm exhausted, and I can barely function! How can you say I'm okay?
Wise One: Are you in unbearable pain?
Frantic One: It's not too bad right now, but it could get worse.
Wise One: Can you bear it?
Frantic One: Yes.
Wise One: Are you in immediate danger?
Frantic One: No.
Wise One: Do you want to run away from here?
Frantic One: No.
Wise One: Is anyone in your face, screaming at you, or hurting you?
Frantic One: No.
Wise One: What is happening?
Frantic One: I am sitting here with you.
Wise One: What else?
Frantic One: We are talking.
Wise One: What else?
Frantic One: I'm tired. I smell something nice. I love that painting. My head hurts.
Wise One: Anything else?
Frantic One: You are smiling. I am thinking. It's pretty quiet.This seat is soft.
Wise One: Are you safe?
Frantic One: I think so.
Wise One: Do you feel safe right now?
Frantic One: Yes.
Wise One: In this moment, this very second, are you okay?
Frantic One: [long pause, futilely looking for a reason to argue]. Yes.
Wise One: [gentle smile] Hmmm.
(Formerly) Frantic One: [smiling] Hmmm.
The End (or new beginning)
Now, imagine threading this moment, like a bead, onto a silken strand of time.
Imagine threading the next one, and the next one, and the one after that, onto the same silken strand - all different - all behind you, now.
Imagine an endless strand of moments, acknowledging that not even the worst of them did you in.
I know my troubles are only as big as the moment I am in, and that's really so tiny.
Even the mournful, frustrating, outraged, uncomfortable anxious experiences come and go, one moment at a time.
I can deal with anything for a moment.
I know you can, too.
In the great Mall Directory of life.... You are HERE!
Even in the darkest times, it helps me to remember this, and so I wanted to share it with you.
A short play in one act.
Wise One: You seem frantic and sad, caught between regrets and future worry.
Frantic One: Can't argue with that.
Wise One: Maybe it would help if you could just think about right now. Maybe you would see that you really are okay.
Frantic One: What? Right now is horrible! Look at me. I'm hurting, I'm exhausted, and I can barely function! How can you say I'm okay?
Wise One: Are you in unbearable pain?
Frantic One: It's not too bad right now, but it could get worse.
Wise One: Can you bear it?
Frantic One: Yes.
Wise One: Are you in immediate danger?
Frantic One: No.
Wise One: Do you want to run away from here?
Frantic One: No.
Wise One: Is anyone in your face, screaming at you, or hurting you?
Frantic One: No.
Wise One: What is happening?
Frantic One: I am sitting here with you.
Wise One: What else?
Frantic One: We are talking.
Wise One: What else?
Frantic One: I'm tired. I smell something nice. I love that painting. My head hurts.
Wise One: Anything else?
Frantic One: You are smiling. I am thinking. It's pretty quiet.This seat is soft.
Wise One: Are you safe?
Frantic One: I think so.
Wise One: Do you feel safe right now?
Frantic One: Yes.
Wise One: In this moment, this very second, are you okay?
Frantic One: [long pause, futilely looking for a reason to argue]. Yes.
Wise One: [gentle smile] Hmmm.
(Formerly) Frantic One: [smiling] Hmmm.
The End (or new beginning)
Now, imagine threading this moment, like a bead, onto a silken strand of time.
Imagine threading the next one, and the next one, and the one after that, onto the same silken strand - all different - all behind you, now.
Imagine an endless strand of moments, acknowledging that not even the worst of them did you in.
I know my troubles are only as big as the moment I am in, and that's really so tiny.
Even the mournful, frustrating, outraged, uncomfortable anxious experiences come and go, one moment at a time.
I can deal with anything for a moment.
I know you can, too.
In the great Mall Directory of life.... You are HERE!
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