Focus on here and now
One of the things that Rob and I do everyday is sit on the front or back porch and talk about our day while sharing our coffee and tea. It has become a central part of our day. On Mondays, we plan the menu for the week, every morning we coordinate the events of the day and who needs to drive who, and what appointments we may have. It’s the start to our day. Even when we travel away from each other, we connect as soon as we wake up and do the same via text or phone when able. It helps us focus on today, the here and now.
When one of our friends started going through a difficult time, Rob advised her to start the day, everyday, and just list five things…five things you are going to do today. You don’t go back and look at the list you made the day before and judge yourself harshly for the things you did not accomplish, you don’t forecast into tomorrow or later in the week of all the things that you need to do and become overwhelmed with all that remains. You simply list five things you are going to do today.
I decided to join in this practice and everyday each of us list those five things. When one is silent, we reach out and make sure they are ok. If the list is made later in the day, still ok, as long as the list is made. Since we started this practice, I find myself focused on the here and now. I recognize that there are days when I am so focused on what is or may be coming, that I fail to be present in today.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). God reminds us to be present in today, to not worry about tomorrow. It is so much easier said than done. There are times when all my worlds collide and the pace of life in the military, my civilian job, and family are all at full speed ahead. When I try to address or overcome it all, it feels impossible. When I pray and ask God for discernment and peace, I can break it down to the here and now, then all the little things get tackled one at a time and before long, the things that felt impossible and overwhelming (because I worried about tomorrow) no longer have power over me.
Today I pray that you can be present in the here and now. I pray that when tomorrow starts creeping in and you start to worry that you pray and shut down the noise…that’s all it is, and focus on the here and now. Be present in those special moments. Sit down and laugh with your kids knowing that email at 8pm can wait, enjoy your family dinner and talk about the day, be present…tomorrow will be there…tomorrow.
2 responses to “Focus on here and now”
thebaldguyblog
Jul 22, 2025 at 11:31 pm
I particularly needed this this morning.
Cristina Moore
Jul 22, 2025 at 11:37 pm
Lifting you in prayer now Chap. Stay safe!
