Have you ever found yourself somewhere special, having a wonderful time, and you begin to think about how you want to come back to this place while you are still there? Maybe you even begin to plan for when you’re going to return.
In that moment, you’re not there. And guess what? You don’t have to worry about going back yet, because YOU ARE THERE NOW.
I have caught myself drifting into thinking, “When I come back I will (bring this person, bring this thing, have more time…).” Whatever it is, in that moment I am somehow imagining coming back and having an even better time than I’m having; or just having more of the good time I’m having.
When I find myself thinking that way, I double down into the present moment and enjoy where I am now.
As we get older, we learn that when we think we are going to recreate an experience or a trip in the future, it OFTEN doesn’t happen.
I had a fantastic time in Florence, Italy when I was 25 years old. In fact, I still have a sweater I bought on the Ponte Vecchio bridge that I love to this day! I was so sure I would be back in Florence soon. Guess what? I’ve been to many places in the intervening 30 years, but Florence is not one of them.
And it’s okay. I can’t predict my future. I can point myself in a direction and make plans, but nothing is certain until it is actually happening. Life is NOW. The best place, the only place, for me to be is where I am.
Wishing you the joy of being present!
Barbara Fagan-Smith
CEO, ROI Communication
Chief Catalyst, Living ROI
P.S. As a follow-on from the Ignite Your Life sessions, I am hosting weekly planning on Fridays at noon PT. You are welcome to join us! If you’d like to sign up, register here. There is no cost or prerequisite to participate. We may try some different times as I have heard some people can’t make noon PT on Fridays. Let me know if you’re interested but can’t make that time.
The weekly practice is at the heart of Living ROI. Consciously planning your days makes the difference between life happening to you versus you making life happen the way you want it. This is where the magic comes in!
We use the Living ROI: A Weekly Guide for Soulful Living journal. You can print out the weekly planning pages, fill them in online or order a physical book on Amazon.
I hope to see you there!
