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May 01, 2005
Right Here, Right Now
Today was a beautiful spring day. This morning I went for a run on the hike and bike trail and afterwards sat talking with some friends and acquaintances. My godson Oz was playing nearby. I became distracted and found myself watching Oz as he enjoyed every moment in the rich morning light. I was amazed at his ability to be in the 'now'. To enjoy the morning for all it was worth. He was not thinking about the future.
When did we forget how to wallow in every single amazing moment? At what age did it all change? When did ‘now’ become a ‘waiting room’ for something better to happen?
It was wonderful to watch Oz playing like there was no tomorrow while the adults around him we’re busy talking about what they need, in the future, to make them happy.
One person talked about how a new truck will certainly bring him out of his depression.
And Oz played on. Now he was a fireman. Then he was a hunter.
Someone else talked about how she refuses to travel for fear of another terrorist attack, even though she has a free ticket to London. And besides, she’s only going to go when she loses ten pounds.
And Oz played on. Now he was a lion. Then he was a wrestler.
A friend talked about the book he was going to write once his kid got out of school.
And Oz played on. Now he was a superhero. Then he was himself. Then he was hungry and a slice of apple did the trick.
Another person said she will never be happy until she finds the perfect man. (She has been married four times.)
And Oz played on. Now he was a policeman. Then he was a cowboy.
Watching him was surely a gift from the universe reminding me to unhook myself from tomorrow's conveyor belt, and swath myself in today. A gift that reminds me to enjoy what I have. To be thankful for the daily blank canvas I call my life and the colorful opportunities that are my paint.
And Oz played on.
Then everyone rushed off toward tomorrow leaving me to enjoy the lush spring blooming all around me. I closed my eyes and lifted my face toward the sun, letting its warm hands caress my skin. I opened my eyes to the sound of infectious laughter. It was Oz. He was running through another group of people. They scowled at him as ran.
And Oz played on. Now he was a plane flying with outspread arms between the people. His face flushed with glee his heart pounding with excitement fuelled with moment after glorious moment of sheer life.
"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present." ~Babatunde Olatunji
"God made the world round so we would never be able to see too far down the road." ~Isak Dinesen
Posted by trevor at May 1, 2005 08:44 PM
Comments
Oz sounds a lot like his godfather.
Posted by: KC at May 1, 2005 09:23 PM
Nice post-its :-)
Have a good Monday.
Michael
Posted by: Michael Nobbs at May 2, 2005 12:57 AM
I never got to meet Baba...though some of my close friends have. I go to drum and dance in Cambridge often (not often enough) and some of my friends there were with Baba the week he died.
One of the things I love most about hand drumming is that it really forces me to be in the NOW. It pushes me into growth and makes me face my shame places, my not being good enough places, and brings me sweet peace in knowing that I am carried by other drummers who have placed their hearts in path ahead of me. I watch. I listen. I honor. I contribute.
I worked with children for almost five years, creating a wonderful after-school program in our area. We built community contract, established healthy conversation about boundaries and Self, and learned how to manage conflict resolution. I learned so much from these kids. I saw things with fresh eyes, and open heart.
I miss that part of the job.
The hardest part of my work there was in dealing with parents. After suffering from emotional sclerosis and seriously terminal affluenza, many of these parents were ill equipped with the growing aspects, the curiosity and the Now-ness of their children. Lucky for us all we had those kids for four hours a day. We all gained a great deal from that experience.
My life has moved on now to other things, but I will always cherish that part of my story that tells of my building some healthy childhood moments for otherwise somewhat abandoned kids.
Posted by: Julia at May 2, 2005 08:00 AM
you don't know me, trevor. and i don't know you. but i just wanted you to know that you make me smile and remember how wonderful life really is. thank you for that.
Posted by: renee at May 2, 2005 11:26 AM
thanks again trevor...you keep reminding me of all of the wonderful things i was taught by my children.
Namaste,
Violette
Posted by: violette at May 2, 2005 08:00 PM
You touched on something I have been thinking about lately. My daughter, 4, asks me about which day is the school day (kindergarden), which days she is with her father...etc...So I have been thinking about making her a weekly picture schedule, through which she can follow the days...but I have been hesitating to drag her into a "calender" and teach her the notion of past and future at this age. You asked "when did we learn?"...It seems my daughter is about to learn. And I am still wondering, should she "now"?
Posted by: Z. at May 3, 2005 02:10 AM