My wife and I were hiking up Mount Constitution on Orcas Island in the Puget Sound last month, and I learned an important lesson about enjoying the moment you are in, rather than hurrying up to get somewhere.
We had a 7 mile trek before us with a 1400 foot elevation gain on the way up. We also decided to carry weighted backpacks to train for a hike into the Grand Canyon we expect to take next year. So, it was not a big deal hike, but it was not a walk in the park either. We were putting ourselves to a mild test!
When we started the hike, I spiked up my resolve to get to the top and back, adjusted my backpack to fit, put my nose toward the ground, and off we went.
After a while I realized I was thinking too much about getting to the top and not enough about the scenery around me. I slowed down a bit, looked up more, searched the surroundings for spiritual lessons to learn and realized I needed to live in the moment instead of thinking I should be somewhere else.
The purpose of the hike was not to get somewhere but to enjoy the activity, spend time with my wife, take in fresh views of God’s creation and demonstrate that we could walk a distance with a loaded backpack.
As soon as I quit thinking I had to be at the top and started enjoying the moment I was in, my whole body loosened up and felt more relaxed. Stress and tension I didn’t realize was in my muscles melted away. I felt lighter, more buoyant, less weighted. I felt a whole lot better! I felt really good!
And a critical spiritual health lesson was learned. If we keep thinking we should be somewhere else than where we presently are, we’re liable to get all stressed out. Why? Because we are also thinking we are not in our right place and that’s an unhealthy way to think.
Constantly reiterating in thought, “I need to be somewhere else,” is also pounding away the belief, “I’m not in my right place.” It’s unhealthy, because it may lead to rushing around with blind haste which can cause unnecessary accidents, or blisters and sores from pushing beyond demonstration, or built up tension from not taking time to keep thought prayed up.
Place, of course is mental. It’s all about where our thinking resides. We make our own “place” by the thoughts we entertain about our present circumstances.
On my hike, I needed to know that my right place was right where I was, in the presence of God! God was not more present on top of the mountain than at the bottom. God was not more present at the end of the day than at the beginning. There was nowhere I could hike that God would be more present than where I was at any moment during the hike. I was always in my perfect place. And that’s what I needed to know.
And that was my motto for the rest of the day.
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the hike, even up the steep parts and ended the day in perfect health, ready to do it again.
So, don’t be in a rush to get somewhere. Enjoy God’s presence right where you are! It’s the best place you could possibly be.
“The view from where we ate lunch on Mount Constitution”
Excellent reminder, Evan. Thank you! Just the right way to think always!
Living in the present moment with thoughtful clarity is what I strive for. Thank you for this reminder and your beautiful photos.
STUNNING photo! Wonderful views, especially your spiritual one. What a beautiful lesson, to enjoy the moment. It’s all about the journey, as they say! I love the idea that there’s not more of God or good in one place than another. God is always with us.
I loved the message! Is that mountain in the distance Rainier?
Mount Baker!
What a wonderful way to start the week knowing God is no more present than at the end of the week. Being truly present in the moment to see all that God is, What a great way to experience the day!!
I really have to practice that especially when I do my lesson. I have a habit of thinking that I have to do my whole Bible Lesson or else I won’t get it. I have to learn to slow down and give thought to it rather than finish reading it and not give it time to really understand it.
Thank you so very much for the wonderfully helpful lesson. I will gratefully enjoy this as I go thru my day. It was just exactly what I needed to hear now. Thank you again for your dedication and sharaing.
Many thanks for the lessons you teach with inspiring words about the lessons you learn as you lead an active life. I so appreciate each blog.
Thank you. great reminder that we are exactly where we should be. The false sense can be so subtle. Thank you as I begin a day of work.
“Live in the now man” as they said in the 60’s, is so true and helps me appreciate and be grateful for what’s right in front of me – only good every moment. Thanks Evan.
Thank you, Evan for the reminder. Even as I unpack…I am remembering GOD is ever-present. No overwhelming thought, no burden is too great for GOD…Yes, enjoying the moment makes these seemingly menial tasks JOYFILLED … I smile with each box opened… little treasures, nearly forgotten, are brought out and either find their place here or are given to others.
All is Well!
“O Gentle Presence, Peace, and Joy, and Power…” MBE
Thank you Evan for being alert to the now.
This morning I thought I needed to go to the shopping center but seemed to be delayed.
A short time later my daughter called to ask for some metaphysical help concerning a business meeting she was conducting. I was able to tell her that divine Mind was sitting in that meeting with her and the others and guiding all of them.
An excellent reminder of us being in God’s Kingdom, 24-7. This thought allows me to be more reflective of who we are and where we are.
I was given a book entitled “The Precious Present” by Spencer Johnson that presented this same idea in story form. A very good read…as was this blog post. Thanks Evan!
You can listen to a reading of The Precious Present here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIHv1-idNo4
The same principle also works for thinking you should be ‘doing something else’ … thanks so much!
Evan, I am so grateful for your sharing of these daily inspiring messages. They bring me home to the present moment and the marvelous realization of God’s ever presence!
I used to live in Western Washington and my heart was lifted by the beautiful image of Mt. Baker, one of the many majestic peaks in the Washington State Cascades!
Many thanks for sharing and also thanks to all those who commented, Susan
That’s perfect Evan, I was traveling from Ohio to Maryland to visit my son today and within an hour and a half of my destination I missed an exit. A tear came to my eye and I felt frustrated. Traffic was heavy around DC and I was afraid of making Christopher wait for me. It had already been a long drive, but very happy up to that point. I appreciate your message today and see it’s application in my work as a Christian science nurse as well with the sometimes agressive suggestion that there is more care to be given than time available to give it! thank you
Thanks Evan for the exquisite pictures. Truly the creations of God are so very awesome. Its so very thoughtful and kind of you indeed to click them and share them with all of us. Your noble gesture is deeply appreciated.
Yes we usually hurry when we have to get somewhere on time and to be punctual. I always try to jump from one job to another, at times not giving due attention to the job on hand, thereby wasting more time. Your blog is addressing me directly. But if we understand that time is measurd by the unfoldment of good, that God adjusts and governs and is in control, we are better able to go about our daily duties joyfully, peacefully and have enough and more time on hand. When God is on the scene, and He always is, everything works out harmoniously. Mrs. Eddy says that if we trust in God never doubting, we will have all that we need every moment.