Living In the Here and Now



It was two years ago to the day, that we were on Oprah for Oprah’s Lifeclass Show at Radio City. I remember just living in the moment, and following what the show was all about…being PRESENT. Thought leader, Deepak Chopra emphasized how “NOW” is the moment that will not end. When you come to this realization, you learn to relish in the present, and absorb every detail of the moment. 

That day, I had never felt so much energy in my entire life. I remember my husband was pushing me in my wheelchair, while my sister in front of me, slipped off her heals and carried them in her arms as we ran through the back corridors of Radio City to make it to our seats. Watching others run sometimes jabs at a melancholy piece in me and I think back to the best days of cross country and track. However, watching her run through the halls, gave me so much pleasure, and I felt her energy bounce back to me with each step she took. I absorbed the euphoria of the moment. I could almost feel my feet pounding away at the floor below me with each stride we took towards the ten thousand people waiting to greet us. 

I am not a fan of Chris Brown, having counseled victims of domestic violence, but Pitbull and Chris Brown’s song, “International Love,” belted out the lyrics of “New York City”, which deemed quite appropriate for the moment. I instantly felt my son, now twenty-one months old, bouncing around in my belly. I treasured the moment, and whispered, “I like dancing too, little baby. And we shall dance together in New York City again.” Having been in theater throughout middle school, high school as well as community theater over the summer, (when I was not running) I convinced myself that I do not get consumed with “stage fright”. Ten thousand people are a lot of faces staring at you, but all I could feel was a sense of community. Every individual present that day was not only supportive, but yearned to live in the “here and now” as well. Everyone backed each other up, laughed with you, and threw down tissues from the balcony to cry with you.  It was like family. 

I suppose I had been living in the “here and now” prior to this day, but I recall Deepak’s words emphasizing the true importance of it all. What we all experience right now, in this very moment, we will never have again. Each second is another segment in time, whisked away right into history. Why not treasure each moment then? Even the bad ones. They too will dwindle into twinklings of the past.
Each day, I take in every detail of my children. I never take them for granted or the day that I have with them. Not only do they accomplish brand new things each day, but I know I will never get today back. I take in their baby smells, even if they smell milky or like Desitin. I observe each tiny toe and little finger. I look deep into their eyes and take in all of their beauty. Lastly, I feel my lips pressed against their tiny faces, and make a memory of that scrumptious hug, that I wish can last forever.

I came minutes away from never meeting my youngest son, and leaving behind a little boy that had just begun to say momma. Because of this, I relish in today. I do not know what tomorrow brings. Some people might think this is morbid, but I think it teaches you a sense of appreciation and love for what you have around you. It is also reality. Things change. You change, the people in your life will change around you and children will grow up. Deepak had left my mother with this very mantra: “The past is gone. The future is not here. Now I am free of both.” If you choose the present moment, you will find yourself immediately thrown into recognizing that NOW is the time to enjoy.

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