I continue to struggle with the question of whether or not I am where I am supposed to be. I think this is something most all of us go through from time to time. If I take the time to look beyond my current frustrations, however, I can see the opportunities that are before me and the relationships and experiences that I would not have had were I to be anywhere else.
It may be that I am convincing myself falsely, but there is no clear indication that I am to go elsewhere or be on a different path. Carpe momento. “Do not worry about tomorrow…. Let today’s own troubles be sufficient.” I know this to be true, but I persist in trying to change tomorrow.
Why worry about tomorrow. We can neither predict or dictate what will happen. Our best option is to just accept our circumstances where we are. I find it a good exercise to look at where we are in the moment—the people around us, the impact we are having, and the opportunities that are presenting themselves.
When presented with the question: what will tomorrow bring? A common answer is: “God knows(?)” It is funny how attitude can shape how that answer is punctuated. Notice, with a slight change in the inflection of our voice, the answer can be the uncertain “God knows?” or the trusting, confident “God knows.” We need to respond to the question of tomorrow with the certainty of the later. There is a path before us. We may not know to where it is taking us, but we can trust we are on the right path for us at this present time. Who is to know when the next fork in the road may come? We don’t even know if there is a fork ahead. Why expend the energy on what we don’t know? Carpe momento.
To “look beyond what we see” does not mean to keep looking head to what is yet to be. Rather it means to look outside of our limited experience. Remember, we are Spiritual. There is more going on in the Universe than what we can see. What we are doing and what is happening to us has impact that reaches far beyond our self. Consider this.
We may not know now why circumstances are what they are, but we can trust that they are what they are for purposes beyond what we can see. It may be for us. It may be for someone else. It might serve us in the moment. It might serve us down the road. Whatever the reason, we need to be where we are. Consider the opportunity that is being presented.
A good practice is to list the opportunities that are before you at the start of the day. This permits us to view our circumstances not as burdens or challenges but as occasions for gratitude. We flip our mindset for “have to” to “get to”. This seemingly minor exercise can dramatically affect one’s attitude and emotional approach to the day. Remember: your attitude shapes your attitude. The simple practice of viewing our circumstances as involving other besides our self allows us to “see beyond what we see”. It is a matter of choice.
Carpe momento!
“Our attitude toward life determines life’s attitude towards us.”—John C. Mitchell