Don't out drive the light

/

Don't out drive the light

- Tracey Hancock

It's important to be mindful of the future, that's true. There are decisions we make now that are made within the context of the future. Everything from big decisions like where to buy a home and saving for an upcoming trip or perhaps retirement, to smaller ones like choosing what you eat for lunch or what you'll pack when you head away on holiday.

But here's the thing, all too often we try and guess what's going to happen in the future. We worry about the meeting with our boss that's scheduled for 2 weeks time, we worry about an upcoming visit to the doctor, or about whether we're good enough to achieve a goal. 

All those worries about the future grab our attention and hold on tight. We create worst case scenarios for everything! But it doesn't stop there, we grow those scenarios into bigger and even worse outcomes. Our mind and body respond by thinking we're in danger and our stress responses go into overdrive before we've even reached that point in the future. 

But what about now?

When we're focused on the future and what might or might not happen we lose connection with the present moment. The past has been and gone, there are no do-overs, and you can't get those days back. The future, well it's in the future, it's not yet here. The only thing that needs our attention right now is the present moment. Now is all we have and know for sure. 

Don't out drive the light

When I learnt to drive there were a few things that worried me, driving at night was one of them. When you drive at night, you can only see what's lit up by your car's headlights. Instead of focusing on the bit of the road I was driving on now, I was forever trying to anticipate what was further ahead. Inevitably I'd end up feeling quite stressed, and I wouldn't drive well.

It's like that in life. We can only see this moment for sure, what lays ahead is not yet fully known. So concentrate on the moment, pay attention and do what needs to be done now. What's further down the road will become important and deserving of your attention when you get there. In the meantime don't out drive the light. Focus on what's here and now. 

Your job right now is to live in and appreciate this moment here. Worrying about the future robs you of now.

What are you worrying about that's out there in the future? Is there anything that you need to do now in preparation for whatever it is you're worried about? If so, do that and let go of the worry. 
  
Beautiful, take a breath. All you need to do right now is to be present to the moment. The future will be here soon enough with or without you worrying about it. 
 
Know someone, someone you love and care for, who needs to hear this message too? Please share.

Tracey Hancock is a coach and mentor passionately committed to helping people live well. Drawing on her own life experience and the lessons she's learnt trying to be and do what she thought was expected of her, Tracey will gently guide you to reconnect with yourself, putting you and your health at the heart of everything you do in life and business. If you know it's time to be you and to live your REAL life, contact Tracey to learn more about the REALiving approach today.