In the now
Posted by Naiah Earhart on December 6th, 2006
I worry so much, as a lot of us do about things I’ve done, things I regret, things I would change. I also worry about things that might happen, mistakes that I might make—potential regrets. So much of my headspace gets divvied up over the past and the future, that sometimes I forget to keep my focus in the here and now.
We all know that the purpose of this life is to gain experience, but what happens when we dwell too much on the consideration of our experience? Nothing. We also know that we need to set goals, and consider the future impact of our decisions, but with the endless permutations of possibilities, where do we go when we get lost with all those what-ifs? Nowhere. This is a balance that I struggle with all the time. Regret and worry breed angst, and that angst saps resources from me and my various efforts in life.
President Monson recently put it all into perspective for me. In his “the gate of history swings on small hinges” November 14 devotional address at BYU, he said:
The past is behind—we must learn from it.
The future is ahead—we must prepare for it.
The present is now—we must live in it.
There we go. Learn from the past, prepare for the future, but live in the now. Learn from the past. Don’t forget it, but also don’t dwell on it. Prepare for the future. Don’t fret about it. It seems so neat and tidy, and it is really, but there’s another aspect to it that I came across this week in The Enoch Letters, page 38:
Repentance takes care of the past, faith the future, and the Holy Ghost helps us with today. The Holy Ghost can be our constant companion. It enlarges our conscience. It helps us to see the truth of all things, including the truth in the transactions of the marketplace. It sharpens our eyes to see the needs of others who would otherwise be obscure. It quickens our pulse of pure passion, stirs us to action to assist others whom we might otherwise pass by and notice not. With this great gift, whether one consults his heart or his mind, the precious and practical counsel that comes forth is the same: we can receive such directions daily, even hourly.
In frustration, I often chide myself, “get your head in the game, Naiah!” It’s a way of pulling myself back into the present. After all, can I really be anyehere else? Can I be effective, actively serving the Lord’s will, anywhere else? No, but even knowing that is not enough, though, as the late Elder Maxwell points out above. If I’m going to stay with my mind and heart really and truly present in the here and now, then I must resolve any rankling memories through repentance.
In the present, where I can act, I seek the Lord’s forgiveness and change my ways as the lessons of my life dictate. As for anxieties about the future, I trust in the Lord, that He will guide me, as I consider and plan for the future, and again, in the present take actions to prepare for what what may come. Again, while my mind considers the future, it is in the here and now that I can act. It seems almost a temporal reflection of that scripture in Alma 34:32, “the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors”.
We can do nothing in the past or the future, only in the present. Both learning and preparing are things that we can do now, as are repenting and exercising our faith. Staying present, and keeping our minds unclouded, leaves us open to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, who can then best help us ‘perform our labors’ and make the most of the present.
I like how you mentioned faith as an element in all of this. I feel that when dealing with the future, many people fear the unknown, wondering what is going to happen, whether as a consequence to their own actions, or somebody else’s. Rather than live, they worry. They complain and speculate about things they have no control over. Fear is the antithesis of faith, so I think it’s obvious to us all which one we should cultivate.
That being said, there are also people who live too much in the “now”, and do not prepare for the future. These are the people who, rather than working on their year’s supply, go out and buy a boat, or upgrade their cable TV subscription, or subscribe to another year of Cosmopolitan. Rather than prepare for what is most certainly to come, they get their thrills and pleasures out of the now, rather than out of the feeling of security and peace that comes with such preparation. These are the unwise virgins.
I like in Alma 5, where Alma, discussing the benefits of repentance and the Atonment, asks “Can you feel [it] now“? The effects of the Atonement (and hence, all happiness) are meant to be enjoyed now. These things are for time and all eternity—and time is now. As we prepare for the future, we must also work, as you point out well Naiah, to live in the moment and enjoy the blessings we’ve been given. Happiness is meant for this life and the next, but I have a feeling we won’t have too much of it in the next if we don’t learn to appreciate and cultivate it now.
Comment # 1 left by Connor Boyack on December 6th, 2006
This is fantastic. I have been thinking about this concept of being present. I appreciate the reminder. I also can never hear enough of what Pres. Monson said. It’s so easy to get lost somewhere in the past or to worry too much about the future. I think these are two ways the adversary distracts us. Thanks again!
Comment # 2 left by Michelle on December 6th, 2006
I worry a lot as well. I can start fretting about something and be very distracted. Carnegie says a lot about this as well, but I have been saying to much about that lately. Perhaps another time.
It seems we need a balance in this however. I think you do well to include the statements about faith and repentance.
It seems there are examples both ways…Floating through my mind are - take no thought for tomarrow. And - eat drink and be merry for tomarrow we die. And how does having an eternal perspective fit in? This is a very confusing thing for me. It seems we can sometimes be to much one way, or to much the other.
Comment # 3 left by Eric Nielson on December 6th, 2006
I worry so much…I forget to keep my focus in the here and now.
That’s when you gotta Just Care Less
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Comment # 4 left by Ryan on December 6th, 2006
“Fear is the antithesis of faith” BAM! Essential truth moment, Connor. Brilliant. We know that this life is the time to perform our labors and (paraphrasing, obviously–I need to be in class in like 10 minutes) ‘the spirit with which we are posessed at the end of this life will have sway over us in the next,’ and we know that ‘man is that he might have joy.’ So we do need to cutivate our happiness in this life, for it has eternal echoes. Good point.
Michelle, Balance can be elusive if we come from the perspective of the world, but as you have told me, if we keep Christ at the center, as our focus, everything else falls into place. Faith and obediance are the ultimate ballast.
Eric, I can’t speak for anyone but me, but I’ve loved all the Carnegie stuff you’ve shared. There’s no way it’s too much. I mean, you might be sick of typing it, but I’d love to hear the parallels from that frame!
Ryan, I so love that your disclaimer is like 18 times as long as your comment. Plus it’s rippin’ funny, in case other people didn’t read it. I don’t much care for the phrase itself (apathy is a bad thing, y’know?), but I like your ideas behind it! I can’t wait for you to hammer out the whole book!
Comment # 5 left by Naiah Earhart on December 6th, 2006
Um isn’t fear the antithesis of curage and doubt the antithesis of faith?
Comment # 6 left by Matt Witten on December 6th, 2006
and Matt W. the antithesis of correct spelling?
Comment # 7 left by Matt Witten on December 6th, 2006
Okay Naiah:
I am just worried that some may think I am replacing the gospel with Carnegie advice. So here is the basics Carnegie says about worry (from ‘How to stop Worrying and Start Living’)
1. Live in day-tight compartments.
2. Ask yourself what is the worst that can happen, accept it, and improve upon the worst.
3. Remind yourself of the cost or worry to your health.
4. Get the facts.
5. Make a decision.
6. Act on the decision.
7. Ask what is the problem, cause of the problem, and best solution.
8. Keep busy.
10. Don’t worry over trifles.
11. Use the law of averages to eliminate worries.
12. Cooperate with the inevitable
13. Decide how much worry something is worth, and don’t give it any more.
14. Don’t worry about the past.
Well, there are a lot of common things in there. Maybe some of these can help us. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living is a pretty good book. Carnegies books are very common-sense stuff that many like me have ‘blind spots’ about.
This training has been pretty intense, and has dominated my thoughts lately. The course is nearly over. I am changing in what seem like subtle ways because of this. Hopefully for the best.
Comment # 8 left by Eric Nielson on December 6th, 2006
Matt,
You are correct but not to the extent that Connor’s statement is incorrect.. that is, there is more than one answer.
Connor’s sentiment is pretty well illustrated in Indiana Jones and the last crusade when he has to have faith in the (umm.. whatever it was he was using as a guide) and step out over the chasm onto the invisible bridge. Had he let his fear get the best of his faith, he never would have acted. He allowed his faith to dominate his fear.. in that moment the two principles were at war with each other. Antitheticals, as it were. I mean, if antitheticals was really a word, that’s what they would be.
Naiah, Apathy gets a bad rap as much as exuberance is extolled (a point I’ll illustrate at a later time when it’s more on topic).
Remember, it’s “Just Care Less” not ” Just stop caring about anything at all”. I am more and more convinced everyday that one of Satan’s greatest tools is his ability convince us to allow stress and anxiety over regrets, offenses, feelings of worthlessness, what-if’s, etc… We should be self-aware but not self-condemning. Numerous prophets will back me up on this one including the current big dog himself. President Hinckley (publicly) is the great optimist, for him everything is always looking up, the clouds are always parting, life is more beautiful everyday.
The only way we can emulate that is to stop caring about all the garbage and to simply push forward doing good. You fight evil not by getting mad and pitching a fit but by doing good things and being cheerful. You fight sadness by getting up and going out to do good.
Comment # 9 left by Ryan on December 6th, 2006
“Fear is the antithesis of faith” BAM! Essential truth moment, Connor. Brilliant.
Lest anybody think that I’m smart, or something like that, I must give credit where credit is due. President Hinckley was the one to coin the phrase:
Um isn’t fear the antithesis of curage and doubt the antithesis of faith?
See the above quote by a wise man.
Connor’s sentiment is pretty well illustrated in Indiana Jones and the last crusade when he has to have faith in the (umm.. whatever it was he was using as a guide) and step out over the chasm onto the invisible bridge.
Only the penitent man shall pass…
Comment # 10 left by Connor Boyack on December 6th, 2006
No, No, the penitent man one is the one with the blades that cut peoples heads off if they don’t kneel.
Comment # 11 left by Ryan on December 6th, 2006
No, No, the penitent man one is the one with the blades that cut peoples heads off if they don’t kneel.
Oh, right, right.. You were talking about the “leap of faith” part. D’oh. My bad. Sorry, Indy!
Comment # 12 left by Connor Boyack on December 7th, 2006
My favorite:
“In greek, Jehovah begins with an i!”
But you mean:
“Only in a leap from the lion’s head will he prove his worth.”
Comment # 13 left by Naiah Earhart on December 7th, 2006
I’ve been partial to the term ’selective neglect’, myself. It implies a concious choosing on my part, a decision to focus on other things for a time.
I found some interesting things about how I approach living in the now as I read an article about locus of control. The more internalized, the better one prepares for the future and learns from the past, accordingly.
Comment # 14 left by TĂ©a on December 7th, 2006
It was a deliberate choice to leave that ’s’ out, just so you know
Comment # 15 left by TĂ©a on December 7th, 2006
I like the selective neglect tea.
It was a choice to leave out the thing above the e. (Not really, I just don’t remember how to do it).
Comment # 16 left by Eric Nielson on December 7th, 2006
Pres. Hinckley isn’t the only one who has said that. Pres. Packer also did in the most recent Conference:
“We are not to be afraid, even in a world where the hostilities will never end. The war of opposition that was prophesied in the revelations continues today. We are to be happy and positive. We are not to be afraid. Fear is the opposite of faith.”
Comment # 17 left by Michelle on December 7th, 2006
We are to be happy and positive
Hey… that’s a great quote
Comment # 18 left by Ryan on December 7th, 2006