I’ve noticed that men of a certain age are a little reflective after some recent news.
George Michael dying at 53 …
Hardly old, now is it?
The one thing I know is that I don’t want to get to the end of my life …
And not do the things I really wanted to do.
Apparently it’s one of the biggest regrets of elderly people.
Wasting time on what appears important, and not giving enough to the essentials.
It can manifest as spending too much time in the office.
Working to support your family is important - but balance is essential.
Otherwise you just end up like the stereotypical father figure.
Never there.
Thankfully it’s slowly changing, I think men are waking up to the fact that they don’t want to repeat the same cycle.
But it still seems like so many still do.
And it’s not so much the amount of time, but the quality of that time that is the most important thing.
It’s also the bringing home the stress and the thinking about work.
So even at in these holiday times,
Which are blissfully quiet as people seem to hunker down and relax (at least in my town).
When I talk to people there is still the thinking about work.
Which means you’re home but not really there.
It was something I used to do so much.
I was lost in my own head in a future or a past moment.
And partially why I wanted to learn how to meditate:
So I could be more present, and not think about things that weren’t in front of me.
Because I realised how much it took away from life, from my enjoyment, from my ability to give to my loved ones.
I realise how I was missing out on the essentials of my life.
Now,
After a morning spent with the extended family, young and old all working outside -
Doing some jobs and working up an appetite so we can sit down to another huge lunch,
Then go see Rogue One, the new Star Wars film together this afternoon,
I realise how good I have it.
The ability to really be fully here with everyone is so enjoyable.
So satisfying.
And probably more important still, I’m not fending off work from taking over my head.
It’s not trying to sneak in.
My Ishayas’ Ascension practice has given me the ability to really focus on the here and now so other stuff just doesn’t come up any more.
Which is awesome.
Because if I do happen to leave this planet at an earlier than desired age, like George,
At least I will have filled my time with presence and enjoyment.
At least I will have done my best to prioritise the essentials over anything else.
And not spent it stuck in my head worried, thinking needlessly about “stuff” that I have no control over, or that isn’t in front of me.
Full life begins with full presence.
You can have that.
You can.
It’s just a matter of practice.
Go well, -Arjuna
PS.
Opt in here if you’re interested in learning about how to get more Life from your life:
https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sane/
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