in the now

Awareness of the power of now has seeped into our culture in the last decade largely due the book, The Power of Now, written by Eckhart Tolle. One of the most difficult aspects of dying, or sharing in the experience of a loved ones death, is living in the moment that will inevitably come.. the moment of separation. My wise sister, Vicki, would say - that worry, that day. And the somewhat enlightened author, Mister Tolle, would agree..

"Are you worried? Do you have many "what if" thoughts? You are identified with your mind, which is projecting itself into an imaginary future situation and creating fear. There is no way that you can cope with such a situation, because it doesn't exist. It's a mental phantom. You can stop this health and life-corroding insanity simply by acknowledging the present moment. Become aware of your breathing. Feel the air flowing in and out of your body. Feel your inner energy field. All that you ever have to deal with, cope with, in real life - as apposed to imaginary mind projections - is this moment. Ask yourself what "problem" you have right now, not next year, tomorrow, or five minutes from now. What is wrong with this moment? You can always cope with the Now, but you can never cope with the future - nor do you have to. The answer, the strength, the right action or the resource with be there when you need it, not before, not after."

Illustrations © Barbara J Holzapfel

Every glance holds the potential for sadness.. or.. a conversation about folding laundry. In this moment there is no sadness, only sharing in the living of life.