Don’t Let Your Next Ruin Your Now

 

This morning at sunrise I was running down the beach as I usually do.  I was worrying over all the things I had on my to do list, planning a schedule for the day, and wishing I could be finished running.  Then I noticed something; the ocean lapping at my feet, the glorious colors of the sunrise reflected on the clouds in the sky, the seagulls winging and diving overhead.  

I realized that I had been absent, lost in my mind, and blind to all the beauty surrounding me while I fretted over all of the things I had to do NEXT.  I might have physically been moving down the beach, but I was not present.

I stopped, stood still and looked around me. I might have even smiled to myself.  When I resumed my run, I tried to enjoy the capability of my body, the motion of my legs, the strength of my muscles, the breath in my lungs; and I was thankful that I was running.

I paused in my run to say hello to the man I pass every morning who I secretly call the peaceful man, because he looks so content.  I stopped running to greet and pet the two lucky dogs who are walked daily; Biscuit, the eager Jack Russell and Max, the big dog in a little body.  I chatted with a stranger and agreed with him that it was indeed a beautiful morning.

I appreciated all the treasures the ocean had washed up at my feet.  I’ve found fossils and bones and whelks as large as my hand.  I’ve found a dozen pairs of sunglasses, mostly scratched or rusted.

I was thankful that I had the opportunity to witness another sunrise and didn’t want to take that for granted.  

I did have things to do that day as I do every day, and I will get them done.  What I don’t want to do is let my worries over those next things contaminate my appreciation  and experience of the present moment.  The future will come.  The past will stay in the past,  we are here now, sharing this space full of beauty, interesting people and animals. There are wonders to behold, if we will only stop and look.

If you enjoyed this post, consider purchasing my books, Solo Car Camping Across America, An Adventure in Courage, Solitude, and Questionable Bathrooms in America’s Most Beautiful Places, available on Amazon Books.  235 pages with full color images. Itinerary, packing list, helpful tips, and do’s and don’ts included.  Free shipping for Amazon Prime members.  Kindle edition also available. 
 

 

Approaching the Blank Canvas, Real Talk on Fear, Inspiration and Not Giving Up in Art and Life. It’s full of true tales and tips from my 20+ years of making art for a living. It’s available on Amazon Books and you can also find the link to it and my other books on my DesignsbyArianne website.