“Less Past, More Present.”
This brief zen-like koan, is my adopted mantra for 2009. In many ways, 2008 prepared me in many ways to face the future on my own terms.
Focused on the Present
As Little Elvis and I face the coming year, we’re focused on the present; not looking ahead nor behind. By doing so, I know this will be our best year ever!
I’ve always loved Wayne Dyer’s metaphor for staying focused on the present moment – all we really have when you think about it.
Dyer puts it this way:
Imagine a boat traveling upstream. The wake behind the boat represents the past. The smooth water ahead is the future. What’s powering the boat?
Nothing more that the present moment’s energy. Not the wake left behind, not the smooth water ahead, only the energy being generated in the present moment.
This teaches me a powerful lesson about parenting, about life, about everything. It teaches me that nothing in my past really has the power to control my future. Only the effort in the here-and-now can do that.
For me, this means:
- Memories that have haunted me in the past have no real power.
- My actions of this day alone will effect my future.
- I’m free to stop using the ‘wake’ behind me as a reason not to go forward.
How does this effect other Solo-Dads?
Maybe it means you can stop feeling guilty about past failures. May it will give you the self-permission necessary to focus on the present moment knowing that your future can only be determined by what you do today. Maybe it means that you, too, will have your best year ever!
I sincerely hope so!
