The Present Portal

I have spent some time recently considering the idea of being present.  I have defined for myself what that means and wonder, what does it mean to you?  A few years ago I got in touch with the idea after speaking on a conference call where my topic was “Fear and Regret”. 

When you feel fear, you are undeniably projecting into the future what you believe could happen.  Think about any time where you have experienced fear.  Fear of not having the money to pay the mortgage, fear that a relationship will end, or even fear you won’t get home before your dog needs to go outside.  Fear is not based in actual reality; there is only potential that what you fear may happen, because either it hasn’t happened yet or you do not have knowledge that it has happened.  Take a minute and consider those times where you feared something that never actually happened.  Whether whatever you feared happens or not, the fear disappears.

Now, regret is all about wishing you could undo something.  Regret that you didn’t plan a few more days into your vacation?  Wish that you had bought a different car or that you hadn’t gotten a tattoo?  This is the stuff regret is made of.  It has already marked a place in time and is part of your history.

Your present portal is where you are in this current moment in time.  What is past is done and you have moved on; what is future is yet to be.  You know that moment when you smell a wisp of perfume and then it’s gone?  That was present.  What is so very important about being present is the very next thing you do, your next decision, the next step you take. 

Your present is a portal to the rest of your life.  It is a real time snapshot of where you were when you took your next step.  To be present is to be totally aware.  It is the moment you notice you are cold, the moment you smell the coffee, that first sound you hear upon waking.  It is here and now, up close and personal; it is what is.

Your present portal closes the door on your past mistakes and poor judgments; they no longer matter.  You are who you are in this moment in time, all that matters is just being.  Your present portal is the door where you are standing right now with the promise of your future offering nothing but opportunity to live your present in peace.

Consult your present heart and just be here, now.  Being present means there is no fear or regret so be aware and accept that you are you and what is, is.