We are going deep today, so put your seatbelt on and let's move into the present moment. My thoughts this week constantly percolated around the phenomena of "NOW". It is such an amazing concept. I easily found myself lost in its depths in nearly every free thinking moment I enjoyed. As simple as the idea of now is, it also carries with it the profound essence of eternity.
There Is No Time In Eternity
The purpose of time is often debated. Some of the greatest spiritual and scientific minds believe that time is merely a measuring point in this temporal experience. They propose, that when we leave this realm we free ourselves from the constraints of time. I believe they are correct. Time is only felt in this existence because our entry and exit are marked by birth and death.
The fact that I accept this proposition, does not release me from the reality that time does exist in this sphere, and that I am subject to it. Still, I believe I choose the severity of its impact. In other words, if I focus on what time is doing to me, I become lost. Time then, erodes my memory of my eternal self, making it possible for me to forget my eternal identity. Once these memories are lost, I can no longer function as an eternal being. Instead, I become a slave to the clock. More clearly stated, my energy is drained by the mortal nature of this experience we mistakenly call life.
Now Is The Measurement of Eternity
My thought process this week led me to the importance of the present moment. In eternity, that is all there is. "Now" is the only way you and I can step back into our eternal nature. A focus on the past often brings us guilt, a focus on the future often steals our energy to reach for our potential. It is not that we can don't learn from the past or that we must avoid looking to the future. I simply declare that these activities often become the dominating drive in our lives and as we dwell on the past and dream of the future we lose the only thing that is real: "NOW".
Our potential can only be reached and expressed in the present moment. The past is done. It can not help us now. We move from the past equipped with the lessons (knowledge) we gained, but that is all. we can not improve that knowledge by looking back, we can only use it now. The future is a dream that we create by engaging right now in the present moment.
In eternity, there is nothing but "NOW". That is why we must learn to master it under the constraints of time. If we can not learn to master the present moment when the clock is ticking, we will be a useless force in eternity. Our time here will be wasted. We must learn to be about the business of purpose and meaning making in every moment. There is no waste in the righteous use of eternity. The moments do matter, and how we use them matters even more.
Drink It In!
Right now, I hope you are thinking, "yeah, I get it." But maybe you are wondering why this matters. It matters, because I am certain that you spent most of your moments in the past week pursuing that which matters least. This is not a commentary on you, or how you are using your time, it is merely a commentary on the general nature of human beings. It is easy for us to forget the concepts of eternal worth. When we do, we freely trade them for the value that only time can redeem. Sadly, time is not on our side. Sooner or later, it runs out for all of us. Time cannot keep its promise. Meaningless experiences are always wasted on dead men.
What are you doing right now?
How is that activity connected to the real you?
If your continue doing it, will fill your desire for purpose and meaning?
These are some of the questions that keep me in the now. When I ask them of myself, I find a greater ability to wake up and live in the moment with purpose and meaning. Life is now! Are you with me?
Live Today! Love Today!
Dr. Andrew Thorn
760-559-3548
