Finding Perfect in the Present

I wrote this post for me, and anyone else who forgets the beautiful, simple, gorgeous truth that right now, in this moment everything is perfect.

Let’s remember together.

Because here’s what our mind does most of the time.

“This house is too small.”
“I hate my job.”
“I want a job.”
“My arms are too wobbly.”
“My parents didn’t teach me about money.”
“I should be further along.”
“I still haven’t done the 1 to 2 sessions of strength training a week that the doctor told me to do.”

And. So. On.

We think the future will be better (once we’ve changed something, or got over something). And we see the present—today, this moment—as us mucking things up, in some way.

But we’re not mucking things up.

Beneath our thoughts, beneath our judgments, this moment is actually ok.

In fact, it’s more than ok.

You’ve probably heard me talk about how I was silent for a year. How I literally unplugged the phone and pulled the curtains. And stayed like that for months.

It sounds romantic, doesn’t it?

It wasn’t.

I was 35, broke, single, and my two closest friends had four legs. I was also exhausted, depressed and overly anxious about day to day things.

And not only did I not have a career, I had the world’s most ridiculous work history.

When people said I should have taken better care of myself so I wouldn’t end up in that state, I agreed. Yes—that might have been better.

But as I sat there every day, for hours, doing nothing, I started to feel the present moment. And, to my surprise, I could feel the perfection in it—I wasn’t trying to convince myself of it, I could actually feel it.

Even though I was broke and alone and all that, a deep satisfaction was present—always there—just hidden by a busy mind.

Once my mind stopped shouting (which happens when you do nothing), I could truly feel the present, and I could really feel that everything was ok. It was perfect, just as it was.

And when you really look at the present moment—like actually pause and take a genuine peek—
(feel free to try it now)—you will see it, too.

Do I go through life in a blissed out state of, “oh wow man, everything is perfect?”

Sometimes, I feel it. But most of the time,I get caught up in thoughts, mostly about how I am inadequate.

But, when I stop doing, there is that feeling again. I am perfectly adequate, and everything is actually fine.

Sure I can still see all the “You should be doing better” thoughts popping up, but the difference is, I know that I am the bit of me that’s noticing them. We’re not the same. It’s easier to see them for what they are: just thoughts.

In that space, I get a glimpse of the perfection of the moment.

It’s not about trying to feel more positive and happy or grateful. It’s knowing that any thoughts telling you things aren’t okay, is your mind.

Life is messy.

Sometimes we feel sad. Othertimes, we eat mangoes for breakfast. (Living in Mexico during hurricane season has its advantages.)

Seeing that this moment is perfect is like being in a deep swimming pool and finding the edge to push off from. Because trying to move forward while denying the moment is like trying to find your way home using a map but refusing to accept where you are. (I have a lot of metaphors in this paragraph.)

What we see as failures and things to “get over,” are us living. Gifts we’ve been given to show us a deeper level of love and connection. To ourselves and others.

Instead of pushing against challenges—as if there’s something wrong—hold their hand.

Gently.

Slowly.

There is another side to the sticky times. They will pass.

Give them time to get up. (They may have been sitting for a while; their knees are stiff.)

Now, walk with them. They are your ally and friend.

Our mind loves to trick us out of feeling good and is constantly resisting this moment; wallowing in the past or kicking forward to the imaginary future.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

If seeing this moment as perfect feels like too much right now—maybe even irritating—try simply sitting with the possibility that it could be.

What if it is?

Could it be?

Do you feel better?

I think I do.

Speak very soon.
Lisa

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