Rev. Ben Fowler
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Why wait?

10/31/2011

6 Comments

 
We were socked in with an October snow storm Saturday and Sunday, and we have been without any power since Saturday evening at about 9:30. Too many leaves still on the trees. Too much weight. Limbs cracked and broken. A tree fell and brushed our garage and knocked the power lines off our house. 

Though there are some significant differences, I am reminded of the days when I lived off the grid in the early 70's. It was a time when life felt more immediate and our living was far more about being in the present than about planing for what's to come. I was 24+/- then and floundering around with what to do with the rest of my life; knowing that what I wanted to do and what I actually might succeed at were somewhat at odds. I also was in my first live-in relationship and this made the future loom more dramatically than when I was merely fending for myself. Currently I am in what feels like the surreal position of planning for a time when I will once again not have to plan: retirement. 

Now, it is essential to plan for this and for that: to make enough money to pay the bills and such. It is a shame, however, that so much of our living is removed from the present by all the on-going responsibilities we create to support our lives. 

One of the reasons I have become more enamored with deepening my connection with my more spiritual side is a response to this hard-to-avoid battle with the responsibilities that loom over me. Because there is one thing that I know for sure: when I feel a deep connection with a truly peaceful place in my life, I am also fully in the present moment. 

Now, I don't have any idea what God is past those moments in which I feel my own peaceful state of mind, which is somewhat of a selfish point of view, I guess. I do know, however, that such a state of mind ONLY exists in the present. It can not be planned for. We can not save-up for it. We can only experience it right now. 

So why wait?
6 Comments
Fran Bagdasarian
10/31/2011 01:21:40 am

Ben,
I am enjoying your blog postings. This one reminds me that the present moment has direct bearing on the future. So, it serves me well to notice where I am (what I doing & saying) right "now".

Hard to do sometimes with a busy schedule !!!
F

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Nancy Willett link
10/31/2011 01:47:34 am

entering your blog and reading your gentle
inspirations give me islands of peace and connection.
Much damage to your home and property is concerning. The good news: you are up and sharing.
Our electricity came on this morning.
May we winter New England like the pros we are. I must say, as age advances, Winter becomes harder to negotiate.
Sitting quietly with you, trust comes into mind. Trust will get us through.


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Hugh Valaitis
10/31/2011 02:25:31 am

Very inspiring! As my college graduation looms ever nearer, I am cautioned to plan for this and plan for that. While preparation for the road ahead is certainly necessary, it is even more necessary to stand back and experience the road that is currently beneath your feet.

Good advice Uncle Ben! I hope to see you soon

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Natty link
10/31/2011 03:25:12 am

Ahhhhh yes, words of wisdom dear friend! We have been imagining what it's like "back home" right now as winter leaps upon us and reminds us that there really IS nothing BUT the present no matter how hard we try to make plans or fix what has already passed! Carpe Diem for sure! We are here now on the Left Coast finding some good oysters and good friends to keep us grateful with temps in the 60s and another week before we will be back in Present-Maine...and all she has to drop us "into the moment"' Much love and thanks, Natty

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Karen
11/1/2011 08:15:54 am

Good timing for me. I just met with my "elder financial planner." I am 10 to 15 years from retirement, but he was still capable of striking fear into my heart! Deep breath. Remember the moment. Thanks.

Reply
Brad Sherman
11/1/2011 11:36:26 pm

Finding that truly peaceful place seems to have become a renewable exercise for me that begins at the start of each day. Everything in the physical world will be lost in the end, plans are only a blueprint for the future, and worry just takes our time and energy and gives us nothing in return.

Yes Ben, finding the peaceful place; the place of hope, and staying in the moment is wise councel. The noise of the world will always be there but we don't need to let it rule our lives.



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    Rev. Ben

    I am an Interfaith Minister. My ramblings are primarily  random thoughts, and commentary on life, love and the pursuit of happiness. See more on the ABOUT ME page (above).

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