Lately I’ve been trying on this mindset: The present is perfect.
I have to admit, I’m still practicing this one, still wrapping my mind around it. Because there’s a part of me that wants to say, Yeah, but… The present would be perfect IF…
It’s a whole other thing to say the present is perfect—regardless of what’s going on.
- Regardless of being called back for a second-look mammogram.
- Regardless of gaining those five pounds.
- Regardless of the interest rate on my savings account being lowered, again.
Regardless.
This mindset seems worth practicing because the present moment is all we have.
This. is. it. Right here, right now.
- We don’t have yesterday, except as a memory, a story of the past.
- We don’t have tomorrow, except as a dream, a story of the future.
Being present means mindfully showing up so this moment captures your full attention. No more rehashing the past and rehearsing the future.
I struggle with this sometimes. While I don’t get too caught up in rehashing the past, I find myself too frequently rehearsing the future. But the past and future are not this moment.
Showing up for the present is one half of the equation. Accepting it is perfect is the other half.
Here’s my interpretation of perfect: It is what it is.
In other words, the present is perfect when I recognize and accept that things are the way they are. Instantly, the struggle against what is ceases, and I am free.
The present-is-perfect mindset can be distilled to this: Show up. Accept.
The present moment is all there is and whatever is happening in the present moment is all there is.
Again, I’m still practicing fully stepping into this one. One present, perfect moment at a time.
