I have very little time for pleasure reading. I enjoy it very much though so I’ve found a solution. Think it’s gross if you want to, I don’t mind. I keep whatever book I’m reading in the bathroom. That way I can read a page or two every visit. Right now I’m reading Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole
“I first had to start valuing each day as something more than just a boring prelude to an exciting future.”
Boom. That’s me. If you read my financial story then you know I’m looking ahead. I have goals and I have my sight set on achieving them. I’m excited for what the future holds for our family and to see where we’ll go. These are all good things. Having goals is healthy and having something to work toward is a great motivator. I can get carried away though. In the excitement of what’s ahead it’s easy for me to push aside the “right now,” crediting it only as a means to an end.
Stopping to think about it, it sounds silly – an end? As if getting out of debt is the ultimate goal, oh please. Financially, I feel restricted and useless right now but that doesn’t make me and my life useless. Living from one goal to the next, from one high to another causes us to miss out on a lot in life. If we believe we can only be effective when … or if … then we short-change the potential of right now.
Having a solely futuristic mindset is what causes people to become discontented, workaholics, stingy with their money, hoarders … you get the picture. It isn’t healthy. Each of us probably have a touch of one of the above-named things as none of us have achieved the ultimate balance in life. For me, leaning occasionally toward the discontented workaholic, here’s what I’m going to do.
Keep My Goals In Mind. They are still important and worth becoming excited about.
Keep My Head In The Present. I’m a planner and a thinker. It’s easy for me to be doing something in the present while my head is organizing my plans for a week from now. I need to reign it in a little more. Just stop and be.
Keep My Mind Open. There are plenty of ways that God can use me right now, just as I am to touch people and impact them in a personal way if I’m available and open to be used.
For more on the author, Alicia Britt Chole, check out her blog Truth Portraits.
Do you find yourself living for your goals or getting by until … ? What helps you keep yourself in the present and remain grateful for right now? All I have to do is stop typing and look over at the couch, where my hubby and daughter are giggling and playing. Actually, in light of this post I think I’ll stop typing now. I’m headed over to the couch. What are you going to do?
Why I do what I do ~ After her bath tonight, Chloe came out to the living room and told David to smell her hair. He told her it smelled very nice. She replied, “It doesn’t smell nice it smells wet.”
photo credit: Supermac1961
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I couldn’t agree with you more. I think the key is to find that balance between our future goals and our present situations.
Once we get the plans for our goals set in motion and do what we need to in order to keep them in motion, we should live our lives to the fullest now.
There is no guarantee that our goals or lives won’t change due to circumstances anyway. The only thing we know for sure is what we have now and where we are now.
Trust me when I say, I’m very much talking to myself here too. I can very easily get obsessed with my goals. This is something that I have to work on regularly.
Amanda’s last blog post..Harold and the Purple Crayon
@Amanda – Thanks for sharing. It’s true, there’s no guarantee for tomorrow or that our circumstances won’t change drastically. There is certainly value in living for today!
Hi Nicki,
You are not alone. I try very hard to live in the present moment. It can be done, it’s a lot harder than it sounds but it does get easier the more you do it. The thing that helps me is to stop and think that today is what we “couldn’t wait for” 3 months/6 months/2 years earlier. I think it’s important to acknowledge that and celebrate even the small victories that led you to where you are today.
As I’m typing this I’m enjoying a little peace and quiet as my little ones are down for their naps
Sherri (Serene Journey)’s last blog post..We’re On A Mission: Our Posting Schedule
@Sherri – I love that you pointed out that “today” is what we couldn’t wait for six months ago. So true!
Wow. I can totally relate with that quote. I’ve been noticing, especially recently for some reason, that the days are going by very quickly. Too quickly, sometimes. I definitely have to make sure I’m stopping and enjoying the life that we have now instead of planning and dreaming about the life we may have in the future.
Courtney’s last blog post..How to have a great date night while watching a really crappy movie?
What an uplifting post! I really needed to read this today. Thank you.
I remember the actual day that I realized I couldn’t keep waiting for things to get better. There was always going to be something that I wanted to be different. That’s a great quote.
Rachel’s last blog post..Some New Things
I read that same book in the same “setting” last year, and God really did some deep stuff in my heart. So good. Besides reading in the “WC” I also try to read a few pages in bed each night. It’s amazing what a little each day can accomplish… but then again.. you already know that!
netta’s last blog post..Totally New Old Thing