Living In The Moment

Today’s reflection is about something we often miss. We rarely appreciate what we already have. There is a saying that when a fish is taken out of the water, only then does it realize the value of the water it lived in. In the same way, we often fail to value people, experiences, and blessings while they are still part of our lives. Only when they are gone do we suddenly realize what they meant to us. By then, it is often too late.

This happens because we are not truly present. When we are not living consciously in the moment, we can become forgetful and take everything for granted. Subsequently we become ungrateful. When we are living in the present, we naturally appreciate what we have. We live in the moment instead of regretting the past or worrying about the future.

Many of us have experienced this when someone passes away. After their death, people speak about how wonderful they were, how important they were, how much they meant. Yet, when that person was alive, appreciation was rarely expressed.

So, what do we need to do? We need to practice gratitude. Gratitude and appreciation should not only be for our loved ones, but also for everyone and everything in our life. Every experience we have, whether good or bad, has value. Even difficult experiences carry lessons, and we should be grateful for the awareness and understanding that those experiences brought into our lives. This is something we must remain conscious and vigilant about, especially if we are working toward being present.