Ram Dass’s book, Be Here Now written in 1971 has certainly stood the test of time. This book encourages us to live joyously in the moment.
I never really understood those famous words, until now.
One of the biggest gifts from the coronavirus is that it has taught me how to be in the moment. What choice did I really have? I have no idea what the future will bring. I don't know if I will be able to live the life I once had just a few months ago. Will I be able to eat in a restaurant safely or go to a concert? Will I get sick tomorrow or even die as a result of this virus? I believe when faced with a life and death situation, it gets you to focus on what is important in life.
I began to appreciate the little things and feel incredibly grateful for things that I used to take for granted. Simply walking by the tulips flowering in New York City this spring made me so happy. Hearing the birds singing made me feel hopeful. Meditating in Central Park filled my heart with joy.
All we have is the present. I always like to look at the positive side of things in life.
We are energetically in a quantum leap now, where I truly believe that anything is possible. Funny, that's what I always believed even as a young child. When I was a little girl, about two years old, my favorite song was High Hopes by Frank Sinatra. I walked around the house singing the words to that song as loud as I could.
Next time you're found, with your chin on the ground
There a lot to be learned, so look around
Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can't
Move a rubber tree plant
But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes
So any time you're feelin' bad
'Stead of feelin' sad
Just remember that ant!
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
Even now the words to that song make my heart sing. I always felt hopeful and positive about life, it is just who I am. It's in my DNA. Losing my mom at 24 years old didn't change it, 2 divorces didn't change it and now a pandemic is not going to change it.
Think about yourself as a young child. Has your essence really changed much? Isn't the most important thing in life that you felt seen and heard and loved exactly as you are now? Sometimes being present with yourself means loving and accepting yourself exactly as you are. I often tell parents to put away their phones and be present with their child. Color mandalas together, play a board game, watch a movie or go for a walk in nature. While you are with your child, be present and focus on the incredible things that you see in your child. Maybe they're calm and observant or fun, lively and always moving or introverted and peaceful.
Whoever they are, LOVE THAT.
Love that so much that they feel it in their hearts. Trying to make them something they are not is like trying to swim upstream against a very strong current. Don't push against the flow. Stay in the flow...
be present
be loving
be grateful
be kind
And remember these words by Ram Das
““You are loved just for being who you are, just for existing. You don’t have to do anything to earn it.”
