living in the moment

Light for the Journey: Live Now: Releasing Fear and Embracing the Present

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Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that peace lives in the present moment—when we let go of fear, we rediscover life’s quiet miracles.

Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Reflection

Fear often steals our peace by pulling us into regrets of the past or worries about what might come. Thich Nhat Hanh’s words guide us gently back to the only moment that truly exists—this one. When we pause to notice our breath, the warmth of sunlight, or the sound of laughter, we realize life continues to hold beauty, even in uncertainty. Gratitude becomes an anchor that steadies us when fear tries to take hold. In acknowledging fear without surrendering to it, we awaken to the simple truth that right now, we are safe, alive, and capable of love.

Reader Engagement Question:

What small moment of beauty or gratitude helps you feel grounded and at peace right now?

Soaked in South Texas: Why Rainstorms Are Made for Smiling

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When the rain finally falls in South Texas, you can hide under the roof or you can dance in it. Which will you choose?

We don’t get lots of rain in South Texas. When it happens it’s time to enjoy it. You can’t really enjoy the rain if you don’t want to get wet. One has to free the little boy or girl and let them get soaked to skin. That’s what happened to me today. I went to the nearby supermarket (In Texas they’re generally H-E-B). When I arrived I could see some clouds in the western sky and thought nothing of it. When I finished checking out a buddy purposely bumped his cart into mine. I told him I was claiming a back injury and he told me I ran a light. We laughed and talked. We decided to stop blocking the aisle and pushed our carts outside. It was pouring rain. Other shoppers were hunkered under the extended roof. I fist bumped my buddy, said goodbye, and casually strolled to my car. I put my groceries in the trunk and took my cart to the cart corral. That’s when I decided to make a video of me getting soaked.

Courage to Live in the Present: Where Life Truly Happens

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I have a close acquaintance who lives in the past. The present does not exist for him nor does the future. He dwells on the past. He recollects nostalgic events and people. I’m not a psychologist and I do not pass judgment on him. I think it’s tough to live in the present. So many people advocate living in the present moment without mentioning how the present moment is full of surprises and not all of them pleasant. It takes courage to live in the present moment. It takes courage to experience the joys, sorrows, and moments of exhilaration all of which come without warning. It’s all there. It’s all part of life. If one wants to experience life it’s not so much in traveling and taking in new experiences. It’s more about experiencing what is right now in the place one finds him or herself. When we dare to go there and remain there we experience the depths and breaths of human life. It’s a wonderful place to be. I’ll see you there.

Points to Ponder

  1. Do you find yourself replaying the past more than living today?
  2. What “small moments” of the present could you embrace more deeply?
  3. How does courage play a role in accepting both joy and sorrow right now?
  4. Is it harder for you to face the unknown of the present or the uncertainty of the future?
  5. How might living in the present shift your relationships and daily outlook?

Light for the Journey: When You Don’t Need All the Answers to Take the Next Step

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 Life’s beauty lies not in certainty, but in courage, faith, and hope in the here and now.

You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope. ~ Thomas Merton

Reflection:

Thomas Merton’s words are a gentle reminder that life rarely hands us a map with every turn marked. The need to know every detail before moving forward can paralyze us, keeping us from the opportunities that live in the now. The present moment is a rich field—fertile with both possibilities and challenges. Courage is the willingness to take the next step without a guarantee. Faith is trusting that the path will open as you walk it. Hope is believing that, no matter what unfolds, something meaningful awaits. When you choose to engage fully with today, you release the burden of predicting tomorrow. In doing so, you don’t just survive uncertainty—you thrive in it, finding peace in the mystery.

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