My day began when my son missed his school bus.
It was cold, unusually frigid temperatures in Florida. He had celebrated his
"BIG 15th” birthday the night before. So getting up bright and early the following day could be excused. He is not lazy.
What happens next brings everything into perspective.
Not expecting to drop him off messes with my schedule so now I am not in the moment I am thinking ahead to the next task to try to get back to my schedule in my head.
In my rush I left my home unkempt - if you grew up with a Caribbean mother you know that's a no-no. You hear her in your head "what if you dropped down in the street and someone had to bring you home?" ... Well the modern day woman would have replied - "they won't bring me home, they will bring me to the hospital". But of course a good daughter does not reply with logic she just heeds the caution and years later it creates a psychological guilt like it’s doing today.
As I drove out the gate, the car's dashboard information indicates that I was losing tire pressure and maybe had a flat. I jumped out to check. Yep, not quite flat but low.
Already late, I stopped at the nearest gas station to add some air. The sign said .75 cents.
Not even the air is free.
As I am rummaging in my purse, my 15 year old son comes around to help me and says "mom there is no air, the pump is cut in half . Of course I hadn't checked. Now I have to slow down and drive safely to school.
On the way back, after safely depositing him at school, I took the side streets instead of the highway and passed one tire place after another "closed". It was still early.
I realized I would have to drive to my dealers because I know they open early. As soon as that thought crosses my mind, I see one little tire store with its "OPEN" sign. I pull in; I smile at the mechanic and explain my problem. He comes out smiling and helps me. It’s cold by the way, but he seems caring. He tops up my tire and lovingly explains that we are currently getting some unusually cold weather here in Florida and the tire pressure will adjust. I say thank you and offer to pay for his services. He declines and responds "we all need air it is free to breathe and free to you". I say thank you. "Wow".
He gives me his card and says "if I ever need tires to come to him". I make a mental note to do just that and probably send a few friends too.
I am already late. I drive off and then realize I needed a few items from the grocery store but didn't want to stop because now I am super late. My day is going to be backed up. Suddenly the universe reminds me to "stop". I am reminded that I am energy. We are all energy. It does not flow when it's constricted. If I am not here (in the present moment) then I am constricting its (energy) flow by thinking of the next errand, the next task. IT reminds me of the energy circulating around me and to be responsible. I succumb. I decided, "I am not late". I need the few groceries. I will stop. I will be present and focused and give thanks. Everything in its own time.
Has this ever happened to you?
We are constantly rushing to do the next thing. We have no idea sometimes that we are not in this moment but living for the next.
I am reminded of a question that was posed to the H.H. Dalai Lama:
“What thing about humanity surprises you the most?”
His answer was as follows:
Ans: "Man”…because : he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health!
And then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn't enjoy the present,
And as a result he doesn't live in the present or the future!
And he lives as if he’s never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived!"
Let’s stop and learn to live in the present.
Everything flows the way it is supposed to when we are consciously aware of this.
This moment is all we have.
Have a great and blessed day.
