Fulfillment

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered "Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

I found the quote very compelling and relevant to my life. The Dalai Lama mentions how man sacrifices his health to attain advancement. This is very true. We all seem to be paper chasers, living for the next pay Cheque or material gain. We spend countless hours trying to shape up and gear towards what the world deems to be successful living. Vast amounts of our time and energy are devoted to back breaking labor, whereby we stretch ourselves both physically and mentally in order to reach the next deadline. Granted, there is achievement in our efforts but how often do we find ourselves falling short of the mark or discontent with the reward.  

So the question I pose to myself and others is this. Do our priorities, perceptions and principles correspond to a fulfilling lifestyle? 

Lately, I find myself oddly unmoved with life's little disappointments. I tend to find more humor in the things I cannot change and place more importance upon living in the now. My failures do not dishearten me as much as they had done before. This is partly attributed to the way I appreciate the present. I try not to look towards the future nor dwell on the past because there is so much possibility right now. 

Living presently and being attentive to my spirituality has been the most fulfilling chapter of my life. I am no longer bound by the world's silly expectations. Appreciating the now and graciously adopting a sense of spontaneity has completely revitalized my thinking. God never intended us to fall victim to an aimless lifestyle. Success is in the now. Happiness is in the now. Appreciation is in the now. Living is in the now. You have everything you will ever need, right now. So lets stop living for tomorrow and begin living in the now. The way God intended us to live.   

Isaiah 40 31 Scripture

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

"Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called `today', that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:13)