Hey,
It's Azur!
Welcome back!
Let's take a moment and imagine we are sitting together on a park bench,
Watching the world go by.
Picture the young children playing on the swings,
The middle-aged people jogging by,
And the older folks chatting peacefully under the shade of a tree.
Each of them,
In their own way,
Is living their present age with its unique joys and challenges.
See,
We often find ourselves stuck in this peculiar paradox,
Don't we?
We long for the times that have passed or the ones yet to come,
While the present moment quietly slips through our fingers.
Imagine you are holding a snow globe,
And inside it is a little version of you,
As you shake it and watch the tiny snowflakes whirl around.
Think about the times you've wished you were younger or older.
Now,
What if you let the snow settle and just enjoy the scene in front of you?
How does that feel,
Embracing your current age and the experiences it offers?
Remember,
You and I are only 21 once,
40 once,
60 once,
Even 5 just once.
Each age comes with its unique adventures and lessons,
And if we are constantly longing for another age,
We risk missing out on the beauty of now.
It's like we are on a journey,
And each age is a different landscape we travel through.
The plains of childhood,
The mountains of youth,
The forests of middle age,
And the serene lakes of old age.
What if we learn to relish the scenery around us right now,
Instead of longing for the landscapes we've left behind or the ones we are yet to reach?
Reflect on this.
What landscapes have you passed that you still yearn for?
Which ones are you anticipating with eagerness or dread?
And how does your current landscape look,
Feel and smell?
What beauty lies in it that you might be overlooking?
But let's not forget,
It's human nature to remember the past and anticipate the future.
Our past experiences shape who we are,
And our future hopes keep us moving forward.
So,
It's not about abandoning the past or ignoring the future.
Instead,
It's about finding a balance where we can honour our past,
Prepare for our future,
But live fully in our present.
Imagine it like this.
You are holding a beautiful,
Delicate bird in your hand.
That bird is the present moment.
If you squeeze too tightly,
Trying to hold on to the past or control the future,
You will harm it.
But if you hold it too loosely,
Not paying enough attention,
It might just fly away.
So,
Can you visualize holding your bird gently,
Lovingly,
Appreciating its beauty,
Without trying to confine it?
And can you imagine the peace and fulfilment that might bring?
Remember,
We are all navigating this journey of life,
Each travelling through our unique landscapes.
And even though we might stumble or lose our way at times,
It's all part of the journey.
It's all part of living.
So,
Here's to us,
To you,
To me,
To all of us,
Learning to savour the beauty of now,
While honouring our past and looking forward to our future.
It's not always an easy task,
But it's one worth striving for.
And always remember,
No matter where you are on your journey,
You have the strength and wisdom to navigate your landscape beautifully.
The present moment is a gift,
Waiting to be unwrapped by you,
Right here,
Right now.
I love you,
Whoever you are,
Because you are another version of me,
And I am another version of you.
And underneath the appearances,
You and I are one.
