Free will and destiny: a call to embrace uncertainty

Thanks Ana. That's a great question. To be in the present moment, but to also 'do things'. Yes, it's a wonderful paradox. It's all about where you focus, put your attention. Sometimes, when we have a project to do, or a big list of things that have to be done, we can start to procrastinate, avoid, put off doing things. It all feels too overwhelming, like we don't know where to begin. It feels like too much work, too big. We'd rather avoid. It's because the mind focusses so much on the destination, where we have to 'get to'. And sometimes the destination can seem so far away. It's like we know we have to go on a journey of 20,000 steps. And sometimes it just seems like.... oh my, that is so many steps for poor little me! The truth is, there is only ONE step. The next step. The next moment. You never have to do a hundred things. Only the next thing. That's all there ever is. You only ever have to do ONE thing, actually. That takes a lot of the pressure off. You just have to begin from where you are. Don't focus on what you haven't done yet. Or all the things you have to do. Focus on what you can do right now, even if it seems like a little thing. That is acceptance. Acceptance of where you are now. Feel your feet on the ground, the breath moving in and out of your body. Life accepts you exactly where you are. It's a new beginning. From this grounded place, you can make a plan, or do a task. It doesn't matter that you 'haven't started yet'. The present moment is the PERFECT place to begin. In fact, that's all life really is - a beginning. There is ALWAYS a new moment to begin. You don't have to wait until you feel 'ready'. Maybe you will never feel 'ready'. Allow yourself to feel un-ready. Allow yourself to feel fear, or doubt, or any feeling that comes up. Feel your feelings. And allow any thought, however negative. They are just thoughts. Thoughts are allowed in the present moment too. And just take the next step. A small step. Life is made of small steps. Don't label yourself a procrastinator. ;) When you procrastinate, you're a procrastinator. When you don't, you're not. The word cannot define you. No word can. You are alive. With love Jeff ;)