This time of year many people think about the past and the future.

Wait a minute.

People always think about the past and the future. That’s where we live. As if the present moment doesn’t exist.

In reality it’s the ONLY thing that exists. The past and the future are only in our minds. We can never experience it outside our minds. The past is gone and the future never comes. We exist in the now but unaware.

A few years ago we took our kids to Disney World’s Epcot Center. Before we had even entered the premises there were signs that said: Let the memories begin.

Seriously. We hadn’t even had the experience yet!

And they were already talking about the memories we would have in the future. As if we lived in some kind of future past. What a terrible trap!

That’s not how I want to live my life. I want to live it NOW. I want to experience every moment fully, just as it is. What else is there?

We are trained since birth to live for the future. A child naturally lives in the now so it’s a very systematic training to take that out of us. We are taught that we have to do and have certain things to be able to enjoy life in the future. Then what happens to the now?

It shrinks and shrivels up like a dried tomato. It loses its juice.

We are trained to think that we are insufficient as we are since we always need to be better for the future. We learn that our natural inclinations are not good enough and we feel ashamed for who we are. Or we inflate ourselves to avoid that sinking feeling of worthlessness.

None of that would happen if parents and teachers had encouraged our inborn ability to live in the now. But of course they can’t. They themselves have the same training and perhaps they still buy into the system. But you don’t have to. You are free to choose.

Welcome to your own private beautiful NOW! Treat it with love.

In the present you are always good enough. In the present any relationship problems resolve automatically. If you don’t bring in the past, where is the problem?

The present gives you a chance to respond differently every time. It makes you free to be who you truly are.

In the present you can make new choices. And you get endless chances to start over. In the present there is no judgment. Every moment you are reborn.

You are completely free in this moment. Close your eyes and feel it. Right now you are exactly the way you are supposed to be. Stay there!

Don’t make any promises to the future this year. Just remember to be in the present.

Stop feeding violence. Stop reading violent books. Stop watching violent movies. Stop yourself from becoming so numb that you need violence to feel anything. Don’t feed violence. Stop using violence as a catharsis. Don’t accept such numbness in your heart.

Stop being fascinated by violence. Be a rebel in a violent world by refusing all association with violence. Don’t make any excuses.

Stop gossiping. Stop condemning yourself and others. Stop judging others. Stop judging yourself. Stop being annoyed with others. You don’t know the whole story. You don’t know why that car is driving so slowly. You don’t now why the person in front of you is taking too long. Don’t feed violence. Stop hurrying all the time. Slow down. Hurrying is violence. Impatience is violence.

Don’t direct your anger at others. Feel it, experience it, observe it. Study it in the privacy of your own heart. Don’t feed violence. Violence is a hungry beast. Don’t feed it or it will devour you. It will devour your reality. Decide what kind of reality you want to live in and be faithful to that.

Unbury your heart. Listen to it. The heart speaks very softly. You need silence to hear it. Silence is never violent. Silence opens up for love. Silence helps you slow down.

Don’t outsource your feelings. Take responsibility for them. Feel them. Be with them. Don’t desert yourself. Don’t abandon yourself. Don’t reject yourself.

Be with yourself. Be with others. Know what’s happening inside you. Don’t feed violence. Don’t accept it. Start a revolution! The mildest and most permanent revolution. It will save you. It will save society. Don’t be afraid to be a rebel.

I just want to share this joy that’s overflowing and wants expression. I want to share it in a way that brings ease and freedom in your heart. I have no idea how to do this but it is my wish.

I don’t know the origin of this love, for I can also call it that. I can also call it freedom. It’s a gift that came as a surprise and as such it is for sharing. If I could just figure out a way.

It’s so simple and as easy as breathing. It’s in being rather than doing. It’s in forgiveness and the loss of guilt, in relaxation and softening of tension. It’s in authenticity rather than perfection and it doesn’t come with any shoulds!

You are fine just the way you are. Nothing needs improving! You are infinitely loved and endlessly forgiven. You are accepted and treasured just for being you. That will never change. If you don't know it yet just stop and listen, stop and feel it in your heart. 

Perhaps it is the season… In joy, in love, in peace.