Donnie “Possum” Jenkins is a great coiner of phrases and today he laid one on me: “No matter where you go, sometimes there you are.”
Yes, sometimes “there you are,” but if you go shopping, sometimes you are still at home mentally-wondering if you turned off the stove, or if someone is watching the kids, or if Junior has taken his medicine, or if the mail has run. Your choices are incredible. You can be at home all the time you are shopping. You can shop all day and be at home all the time.
On the other hand, you can choose to let your mind drift into the future. Like at tomorrow’s PTA meeting where you are supposed to give a committee report. Lord, what will Mrs. Pickypoo think if you are not ready? Will little Junior’s teacher, who already dislikes him, use it to justify being even harder on him? There is no limit to how many of tomorrow’s things can move into today. For that matter, you can reel in other upcoming dates and put them on the rotisserie of today.
Being aware of where you are and what you are doing can pull you into now consciousness. I just say, “I know where I am. I am here at Publix. I am buying groceries. I must remember …” and think of things you want to buy. It will keep you from wondering if little Junior’s diaper might need changing. Research shows such a thing will not make little Junior become a serial killer. So relax.
Staying in the moment is important because that is where you are. Be where you are. Yesterday is a cemetery where everything is buried, and tomorrow is a dream where you can only live in your head.