Living in the Now

While 2020 has been a year for the history books, most of us just wish it were over.  I think most people would say they cannot wait for this year to be over.  In the back of my head, I always chuckle a little bit, because do we really expect that once the clock strikes midnight on December 31^st this year, that all our troubles are going to vanish with 2020? 

Well I hate to burst your bubble, but they are not going to disappear. I am not sure if you have noticed, but this pandemic is not going away, and our country is basically in a cold civil war.  So, for me, it is time to stop wishing things would go back to normal, and to start living in the now.  

One of my favorite books is Eckhart Tolle’s ‘Power of Now’.  My favorite quote from the book is, “If you find your here and now intolerable and it makes you unhappy, you have three options: remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it totally. (Eckhart Tolle, The power of now: a guide to spiritual enlightenment 2018) I find myself going back this quote often, especially in trying times.

 In our current situation, the “removing” yourself option is out…we unfortunately cannot just go somewhere with no COVID-19 (I wish!).  So, that leaves changing it or accepting it totally.  I find myself somewhere in between these two options for our current situations.

I cannot make a global pandemic go away, but there are lots of things this year that we have realized need to be changed.  No matter what you believe in or what you support, you can always be part of the change.  Sometimes, I find myself discouraged with the world, but what am I going to do about it?  I am just one person.  Then I remember to be the change you want to see in the world. Your actions may seem small, but they DO matter.  Especially in a year when there are so many facets we cannot control; this is how I choose to “change” my situation. 

Another option yet, “accept it totally”.  It is what it is… is it the reality I would have chosen?  Absolutely not!  But it is the reality that we have, so let’s focus on the good.  We have all spent way more time at home this year.  I have gotten numerous house projects done, spent tons of quality time with my four-legged babies, spent so much time on the go in the great outdoors (that’s every year though) and binge watched plenty of Netflix (yes, I’m adding that to the positives).  This year has made me realize many other positives things, which I will share in a future post!

It is time for me to get over the fact that 2020 kind of sucks (excuse my bluntness).  In the grand scheme of things, I am doing just fine.  Now, I understand that this year has been harder on some of us than others, so please do not think I am trying to make light of anyone’s situation.  Each day we have is truly a gift and you get to decide how to spend it.  Do you want to worry about what the future holds or be angry and resentful of what this year has brought?  Or do you want to enjoy the day as best you can?  I want to enjoy the day as best as I can, no matter what tomorrow may bring or what the past 7 months has dumped on us.

And for those of you that are reading this and thinking “Great, ‘live in the now’, well right now I feel like crap… what now?”  I get it!  We see people all around us moving on and acting like everything is okay…but for some of us, it still is not.  Some of the scars we got from this year run deep.  There is a healing process and it seems like almost a grieving process for the lives we used to live.  Many of us are dealing with emotions we have never experienced before, and maybe you are not sure how to navigate these unfamiliar waters.  Well, it is still okay to not be okay! (also, I said that first in my blog on Mental Health, earlier this year, that commercial stole it from me;)  Respect the process, acknowledge your emotions, but try not to let them control you.  Do not be afraid to ask for help!  Mental health is a HUGE part of our overall health and wellness, and it deserves more attention than we give it.  If you find that your struggling and need some help, here are a couple of resources:

• Bozeman Help Center (406-586-3333).  They are available 24/7 to provide assistance.  
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us is a great resource to find a therapist.
• A quick google search for your area will turn up lots of resources for mental health guidance- do not hesitate to reach out!

Wherever 2020 has left you, try to live in the now and enjoy the moment!  If you are not quite ready for that, that is okay too.  Embrace the lessons 2020 has taught us and do not let it all be for nothing!

Tolle, E. (2018). The power of now: A guide to spiritual enlightenment. Sydney, NSW: Hachette Australia.