by Akiti
“Whatever happened, happened for the good,
whatever is happening, is happening for the good,
whatever will happen, will also happen for the good.
You need not have any regards from the past.
Do not worry for the future.
Live in the present.”
Krishnji, Bhagavad Gita
Our lives are a compilation of every moment that brought us to today. Knowing that, it should be apparent to all of us that every moment is precious, especially as we’re living it. Yet most, if not all, of us forget this and get caught up in the tragedies of our past and our fear of the unknown that is the future.
But what if we changed that?
What if we decided to live with and for what we have today?
What if we actually enjoyed the moments we have now and made the best decisions based on what we know right now, rather than worrying about what we should have known before or could know tomorrow?
The practical application of this concept can seem difficult, but is it really so, or is it just our way of remaining in the confines of our fears and self-judgement? As an over-thinker myself, I have found it difficult to truly let go of past or future tension, but in the moments that I’m able to catch myself and remember that the present is the most important, I find the peace I’m constantly striving for by trying to deal with all the tension. And that’s the trick!
Focus on what is right in front of you.
The moment you find a way to focus on what you need to do now, in this moment, you’ll start to see clarity in the moments surrounding it. The reason being that your mind has cleared itself of all the distractions that come with trying to catch up with the thoughts of yesterday or preparing for what’s to come. In that moment, your mind is honed in on the task at hand and how to perform that to its best abilities.
But what of the many things on your to-do list you ask? Well, that’s the beauty of having a list. If you know you need to do Actions A, B, and C today, you would also know that each Action will take X amount of time. Therefore, you can set your focus on Action A for its time, and then when that time is up, you proceed to Action B for its allotted time, and so on and so forth. At first, especially if you’re an over thinker, you’ll find you are constantly checking if you have enough time to complete Action A. Know that this is okay, and it will take time for the method to sink in. Eventually, you’ll notice that your speed in performing each action will quicken because your mind is no longer distracted and delaying its process by focusing on everything else.
Not only does it help you complete your day-to-day tasks, but this method or perspective also helps reduce the tension we give ourselves by worrying about everything – past, present, and future – all at once! Just focus on what is the next action you need to take, and do that, then move to the next and the next – just like walking through life one step at a time.
Most of all, this method of thinking forces us to enjoy each moment for what it brings us today. It forces us to remember that what we have is right now in this moment because the next one isn’t promised to anyone. We need to remember to enjoy these moments, enjoy the things we have, enjoy the people that are ours today, because tomorrow it could all change.
Do that thing you’d said you do tomorrow.
Spend time with the people you love today.
And be spontaneous when life gives you a chance to!
Take it from Krishnji – there is solace in knowing that the past happened for a reason, what’s happening is for a reason, and what will happen also has a reason, and that they’re all good (even if it doesn’t seem that way!). Just live in the moment, and move moment to moment, and there you’ll find peace in action.
Karma hai Bhagvan
Yeh kehtein hain log aam
Par asal mein hum kya karein
Jab dukh hota hai baar baar
Yeh duniya chalti rehti hai
Log jeetein hain khushaal
Yeh kaise jeetein hain
Zara humhe bhi batao, mere yaar
Krishnji ne bola phir
Jo hota hai, wo sahi
Jo hona hoga, wo bhi sahi
Toh yaar aaj khulke ji!
Aaj khulke jeeke dekha
Ab sach pata chalgeya
Zindagi har pal mein hai
Aur har pal mein hi hai mazaa!
Translation (adjusted for meaning):
Action is God
This is what people say
But practically what should we do
When pain always comes our way
The world keeps moving
People live happily
How is it possible
Friend, please tell me
Krishnji has said
What happens is good
What will happen is also good
So, Friend, live today as you should!
Today I tried to live fully
And now I see the truth
Life is in every moment
And in every moment life is good!
– Akiti –
