March 25Love to Live
Every person's position is in fact too simple to be described. I have sworn no oath. I have no designs on society, or nature, or God. I am simply what I am, or I begin to be that. I live in the present. I only remember the past, and anticipate the future. I love to live.
Henry David Thoreau—Familiar Letters (1894)
Today's reading is a full-throated appeal for mindfulness. But you've heard that before and, frankly, who has time for all that, right?
- I live in the present. I only remember the past, and anticipate the future. I love to live.
Seems like a pretty simple prescription. This feels like a really good time to practice.
Find a comfortable seat, close your eyes, feel your body, take note of your breathing, and observe your wandering mind. That didn't take long, did it?
That's okay—admission is key.
Set an alarm every few hours today and just sit for a minute and breathe. Use these breaks to snap yourself back to the right now—the only place you can love to live.
Challenge Question
- What future event has you worried?
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