Stress is caused by being ‘here’….but wanting to be ‘there’ – Eckhart Tolle
Whenever we decide that being over there “we will be happier, wiser, healthier, richer, calmer” instead of being where we are, we lose sight of being present and the healings associated with accepting every situation.
Understandings to help us become present.
- Not knowing/Surrendering
- Observing/Witnessing
- Compassion
Not knowing what may happen in our life can leave us feeling out of control and yet, when we are able to acknowledge we do not know what may be ahead, we can accept the fact that in not knowing, we may discover there is an expansive plan that will lead us to our dreams and goals.
Bearing witness is observing ourselves through the process, simply allowing and being with all that arises in us during the many stages in life, good and bad, without feeling the need to judge or change our situation. Although this part is extremely difficult to do in times of immense stress and grief, in practising this process, we will find peace.
Once we are practising the first two then overtime, we are naturally able to become compassionate to ourselves and to those around us. When we acknowledge only what we know in this moment, we will not allow fear into our future or expect the same pain from the past.
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
You have written some wonderful words here: “become compassionate to ourselves and to those around us…”
Thanks Randall and when we are able to do that, life flows easily for us. Have a great weekend. 🙂
I think this is great piece to understand a place of transition (between here and there). By that I mean, after you decide that you want to move into a better place but cannot quite get there, it become SO painful to not be there. But once accepting of being in a place of transition, you can move away from the past and accept that ‘in between’ place and be present in the here and now. (Knowing that eventually you will get ‘over there’ to that better place).
It can be very painful just sitting in a difficult space Elizabeth and you are right, acceptance and surrendering will help us to move through our situation and arrive where we need to be. Thankyou.
Be Here. Be Here. Be Here. Now.
Yes. Yes. There is nowhere else we can be. 🙂
Karen, thanks for this post, I have been working on this for some time now and I think it may be taking root. ❤
Diana xo
Thats so good Diana, it does takes time to achieve this. It is a daily practice for me and overtime I am seeing how much better I am accepting the many changes in my life. 🙂
Good post, Karen. Much common sense.
We can only live where we are; taking with us the good from our past; that, with hope, may make a better future. But, no better ground work is laid for the future than living the present well. And of course free of any self imposed angst.
-Alan
Yes this is true Alan. We can eliminate a great deal of energy when we are able to be present in every situation. Thankyou for your comment. 🙂
Beautifully put Karen 🙂
Thankyou Val, I hope your holiday was great catching up with family and friends. 🙂
Thanks Karen. It was a good visit…. and I’m very happy to be home 🙂
Great. Im glad. 🙂
The last part of this sentence, “When we acknowledge only what we know in this moment, we will not allow fear into our future or expect the same pain from the past,” really speaks to me. Thank you for sharing this ❤
Thankyou so much for your comment. I am glad it spoke to you. When we live in the present we allow healing in.
A beautiful message and a lovely reminder to centre myself – to be here and now.
Namaste.
Thankyou. If we can practice this gift, we learn to live fully.
i love the Mary Oliver quote. Wonderful explanation! 🙂
Thankyou Carol, Mary Oliver’s writing really inspires me.
I also really like Mary Oliver but I liked your interpretation and I really like your blog. I find it very inspiring.
I appreciate that Carol, I really do love sharing and writing. Many thanks.