Hello.
Please take a moment to get comfortable and close your eyes if you wish to.
Breathe deeply and get focused on this important act of self-care.
Only the present moment is real.
Your past is not real.
Yes,
It happened.
But any memories you have of it are now historical fiction,
Clouded by your interpretations,
Your inner commentary,
Conversations with others,
And the simple passage of time.
Somebody else would remember the same moment differently than you do.
Even you will look back on an event with ever-changing perceptions based on your mood or your current phase in life.
Therefore only the present moment is real.
What happened yesterday or last year or when you were a child is no longer real.
It cannot be changed or manipulated.
Any anxiety over past events is wasted energy.
You can wish that things had happened differently,
But you cannot,
No matter how hard you try,
Make it so.
To spend your time wanting to change the past is akin to wishing for a pet dragon.
It might be a nice thought,
But if you spend too much time thinking about it,
You will continue to be disappointed.
Only the present moment is real.
You are only real as you are right now.
Any shame about who you were or longing for who you used to be is created by your own thoughts that you are having right now.
You cannot go back to who you used to be.
You must be who you are right now.
Only the present moment is real.
The past is historical fiction and the future may or may not come.
If you make it to some anticipated spots in the future,
It will not be as you are imagining it right now.
It will be different and you will no doubt be different.
Only the present moment is real.
Therefore,
Your work toward future goals is only worthwhile if it fulfills you in the present moment.
Pursue what satisfies you in the pursuit itself.
The saying goes that it isn't about the destination but the journey and to that we must add because you may never make it to the destination or the destination may change as you change and your situation changes.
Only the present moment is real.
If you can accept this truth,
It is beautiful and freeing.
Once you realize and truly believe that the past and the future will only ever exist in your mind,
You can free yourself from the energy you spend bemoaning the past and worrying about the future.
Only the present moment is real.
Right now and right now and right now.
Right now is the only guarantee.
One of the definitions of mindfulness is to return to the present moment.
Of course,
This takes practice.
Remembering to tune in to the moment helps you live a life of presence and therefore increased meaning and satisfaction.
So remember and often repeat only the present moment is real.
Thank you so much for listening.
I hope you enjoy this moment and all those that follow.
