Here and Now

Celebrate the feast of living this moment.  Why wait?  Serve cake first, compliment others,  give your whole heart away. Celebrate the feast of living your life.  Each moment is an extraordinary gift.  Live the life you desire by dancing to your beat.  Take the old tape out, the one that sings the same old tune, but doesn't cause you to get up and groove.  Celebrate the beauty of you by knowing that at this moment you have everything you need to be all that you are. 

Shelley (my friend with ALS) shows me this everyday.  She doesn't live her life bitterly,  nor is she jealous of those who take their lives for granted.  She lives each day fully understanding the gift of now.  She cannot move,  she cannot breathe on her own.  But that doesn't stop her from living.  Shelley grabs each moment like a dance partner, she refuses to be the wallflower.

About a year ago, on a day like many others, I drove Chelsea and Sacha to school.  On my way home on a street corner, I saw a well dressed man grab his chest and fall to the ground.  The people around him quickly tried to help but their best intentions did not change the outcome,  except that he did not die alone.

It was as if I stepped into a movie.  It was surreal.  The voices of those gathered there at that moment faded in and out, like a warped record.  Their movements froze in my mind like sets of still life paintings.  His face,  his eyes,  his parting.  The only thing I thought to do was pray and hold him in my mind's eye.

Often I wonder how he lived those last moments? Did he sing a tune that morning when he was shaving? Did he kiss his wife goodbye?

I wonder if he noticed the leaves that swirled around in golden colors as he walked to work? Was he aware of the moment when he stepped between the world of here and now and ever-after?

The message of that day challenges me not to live my life by looking towards the future, but to live it as it is right here now.

Photo: Taken at my Aunt Sara's 85th birthday party.

Comments

[cd&m]

Wisdom indeed Corey, we none of us know what awaits around the corner. Never part on bad terms, always make up before going to bed - all things that could possibly save deep regrets.

[Jeanne]

Amen how sweet and glorious you are.
I adore you.
Love Jeanne

[Pauline]

This is a stunningly beautiful post. I have copied down that first bit and posted it on my fridge. Earlier this morning I read: We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. - Buddha

The universe is talking, TICA.

[tut-tut]

Not one of us knows what lies at the end of each day; or what the end of the day really is, do we?

[Julie Ann]

Here I am at last Corey, although I have been avidly devouring your daily dose of beauty and wisdom. How right you are of course about living life and making every precious moment count. I lost my mother, my angel and dearest friend, two years ago this month. The "missing" is ever greater. Two years ago today was the last time she was here with me having Sunday lunch in my garden room. How I treasure that. We lit candles at a memorial service on Sunday and I shall light one today. My mother's light outshone the brightest flame. she was the most truly beautiful soul inside and out. I have been so blessed.
By the way I was enchanted with "The life outside your door", particularly your pictures of L'isle sur la Sorgue. Some of my happiest French moments are there. My husband and I have whiled away many an hour of delightful people watching outside the Cafe de France. Your daily offerings are wonderfully uplifting Corey - very many thanks, Julie xx

[rel]

Corey,
How right you are. Makeing the most of every moment leaves little to regret. No one teaches this lesson better than you. The exceptional thing is that you teach by example. Thanks for sharing your friend Shelly with us for her example of making the most of what you have in the moment. I'm glad that dying man had you to advocate for him and I believe that his last thoughts must have been guided by your prayers.
rel

[Darla]

Being grateful, being mindful, being in the Now. I need to make these a habit instead of something I dip into from time to time.

Thanks for making me think about it all.

Darla

[Lorie]

A beautiful post, and so worth praying about. Thank you.

[Shannon]

Live life like there's no tomorrow.

[Sandy B.]

Corey,
Your post this morning struck such an encouraging cord in my heart just when I an a little discouraged today. Just this morning I awoke with a song lyric rattling around in my head and it so echoed your thoughts. I am not such a country music fan by I do love the voice of one artist, Dolly Parton, and she has a new song out called Better Get To Livin'. One line of the song says, "The day we're born we start to die, Don't waste one minute of this life, Get to livin', Share your dreams and share your laughter,...." I think this is the essence of being. To read the full set of lyrics you can go to:
http://www.dollyon-line.com/archives/lyrics/better_get_to_livin.shtml

Thank you for these lovely thoughts that move me to tears at the very preciousness and sweetness of life. Corey, you bless me, may you be doubly blessed in return.

[Laure]

Thank you, Corey, for the gentle reminder to live our lives in the here and now, not at that "perfect" future moment - that never seems to arrive. Having been out of sorts this morning, your message touched me deeply. Thank you for you gentle lovingkindness that you share each day. Love to Shelley too!

Laure

[Paula]

A good reminder. I find myself caught up in so many issues that really don't matter much in the bigger picture of life.

My husband always listens to me and then ever so lovingly says "when you are on your death bed will you remember this issue you are so upset about?". Generally my answer is "no".

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..............

[Sally]

Oh boy! Do I ever need this reminder every day! I live in the land of anticipatory angst and seldom in the Now. Thank you Corey!

[Darlene]

A year ago next month, I lost a dear friend to a blood clot. She was only 34 and had 2 very young children (ages 7 and 2). Her death was a defining point in my life. I seek out happiness now. I ask friends over more often. I try to live life instead of existing. It's kind of sad though that it took losing Ann to make me see things more clearly.

[Leau]

Oh Corey, you find the best links...my son also taught this lesson on a daily basis and since he died, I sometimes forget. Thanks for th reminder. And on this perfect autumn day, I will keep it uppermost in my mind. Things change so quickly, we only have this one perfect day to enjoy. smooches, leau

[Rosemary]

Hi Corey,
Those are great words to LIVE by!
Rosemary

[martina]

There was an old song in Oh Brother Where Art Thou that comes to mind when times are sad or depressing. Keep on the Sunnyside of Life. It always cheers me up and like your post today, gives me that kick in the pants to appreciate life every day.

[Mo'a]

I am very much a Live In The Moment person...for years I thought of myself as a procrastinator, only to find out that I live in the moment...*whisper* sometimes getting lost in the moment. Life is full of wonderful moments that added up become a memorable life.

[Kerstin]

Beautiful message. Beautiful photo.

[Mrs.Staggs]

I really do live each of my moments, but I also spend my days, helping others through difficult times. It's finding a balance between the happiness that I always feel in my heart, and the realities that need my attention, that I struggle with.

[Paris Parfait]

C'est vrai, absolutement!

[Candy]

An excellent reminder to live, to actively wait. I love what Kerstin said about not being a procrastinator but being one who gets lost in the moment. I believe I'll claim that too!

[Ulla]

Lovely and profound!!!! I think of SHELLEY so often! HI SHELLEY DEAR HEART! Thank you both for sharing your wisdom and love, and showing us how to live a life full of gifts and sharing!!! Its never too late to enjoy the moment and be grateful for what we have now - life is too short... May you both find warm sunshine in your hearts and music in your souls today!!! Hugs!

[Sixty Bricks]

Thank you Corey for reminding me to see.

[ENC]

Ah, but even "now" falls short of being worthy enough for worship. Even "this moment" can leave me unfulfilled. Sometimes regret still comes, guilt still comes, even consequences...maybe just "later". No, "now" is not enough. I like to live with my hope and faith in the future. The future when all things are made right and one God is revealed. He is my reason to enjoy every moment He gives.

[robyn pope]

I so enjoy your posts Corey. This one is true and sad also. I just read your post about speaking french though and I was lauging out loud. You are a great writer and artist of life.
:)

[Cre8Tiva]

being present in your everyday is the challenge for all of us...being mindful always...blessings, rebecca

[carole]

Oh Corey:
Life is so "IT"
Thank you
c

[Saint-Ange]

Hi Corey : beautiful post and beautiful photos...
I am living in fews kms of Cassis or the Cadière d'Azur....
friendly of Provence
domie (Saint-Ange)

[parisbreakfasts]

This wonderful picture you took says it all for me- the alertness to everything going on, so alive and in the moment as only a child can be...
http://willows95988.typepad.com/photos/family_photo_album/warren.html

[mb]

I could use a reminder like this every day, Corey. Thank you.

[Pinkie Denise]

Oh this is so true we must not take things for
granted. Beautiful post Corey thank you Denise

[maddie]

so true your wise and poignant words -
I watch my Dad find one beautiful thing a day
to look forward to even though everything has been taken away from him -
and I realize that life wants to live -
and we need to embrace life fully -

beautiful photo - i am sure it was a
loving gathering:)

(pretty roses)

[pusa]

thank you for your wise words and reminding us how life is short... we really ought to live our lives today, but sometimes we tend to forget the present and live for tomorrow.

[Colette]

Yes, yes, yes.

Tonight I watched a program where Queen Latifa sang a Frank Sinatra hit called "I'm gonna Live until I die."

Here's to life, every single moment of the day!
xoxoxoxo

[tinker]

Thank you for this poignant reminder to live in the moment - I hope the man in the suit sang in the shower that morning, kissed his wife passionately with the taste of sweet strawberries still on his lips - and I hope one of the good Samaritans by his side that day, was lovely to look upon as well.
Every moment is a gift...
Your photo captures such a precious moment of golden light. Happy 85th birthday to your dear aunt - may she enjoy many more lovely moments. xo

[Hasmin]

Words to live by...

[Alison Whittington]

Corey, as always, you share just the right words for me at just the right time. How could I ever thank you enough?

[pinar]

when people ask me..
how I cope with all depressive.. annoying.. tiring things and details of life..
I answer..
I have 18 reasons for it..
every morning..
at the round..
I see my patients..
and hear their stories.. or their relatives stories..
and I feel ashamed.. of being tired.. or depressive or anything negative..
I celebrate every moment of mu life..
try to..
even if I forget..
well first thing in the morning they are there to remind me.. =)
soo...
let us celebrate..
every moment..

[Lynda]

Wonderful words of wisdom ... Lynda xo

[stuffed]

:0)

[Jann]

You should write a book~or maybe you have......this could have been part of it. Very touching post,Corey

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Corey, Your posts always leave me feeling "tongue-tied" and emotional. You are such a gifted writer in that you can convey so much emotion with just a few words. The same thing happened to a man at a football game we were attending and it was all so surreal. To be here one minute enjoying life and then gone...

[Shelley Noble]

Yes. Powerful and beautiful and true, Corey. This and the wings post are so moving, so amazing, as you are. Thank you.