When We See the Past in the Present

When we look at stars, we look back in time millions of years. We see the past in the present.

The first time I thought about this, it freaked me out. How could we see the past in the present? Didn’t that only happen to fictional characters like Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past?

But then I noticed the trees outside my window and felt a quiet, deep respect. The trees have been here for so many years — more years than I’ve been alive. They bend in the breeze — wise and graceful.

As I looked around the room, everything I noticed had a past that I could see in the present. The fish statue was designed by someone, sculpted by someone, painted gold by someone and now it sits on the bookcase in my living room. The books in the case represent months and years of writing, revising, publishing and selling. The pages in the books were once trees.

So, what about us? Can we look in the mirror and see the past in the present? Yes, without a doubt. And that was the part that freaked me out for a second.

“If you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out because that’s what’s inside. When your are squeezed, what comes out is what’s inside.” ~ Wayne Dyer

I was in crisis mode the day I heard those words for the first time. The words touched me, as if I was meant to hear them at that exact moment, and I could suddenly see a direct correlation between the way I had been living and the turbulence I was experiencing. Though it would take time for me to unravel the pieces, find the courage to change/forgive and finally just let go of major illusions and falsehoods in my life, the words kick started a life-long process to reunite with wholeness, purity, truth… and love.

How we lived up until this moment has shaped us for this moment.

When we learn from our “mistakes,” they transform from “mistakes” into lessons. As we open our hearts to love, we transform into loving beings. Right here, right now.

If the Grinch could transform by the end of his tale, we all can. Because love melts away stress. Love opens our hearts. Love heals us. Love heals others.

As we practice living mindfully today, tomorrow, moment to moment — we truly experience and live openly. Whether the moment feels joyful or full of sadness, we can accept the moment without judgment. We can move with the currents of our lives.

When I look in the mirror, I see a person who is accepting the lessons in her life. A person who wants to use her life to love others endlessly. I pray for courage.

In love, I wish you well on your journey.

Jen