The Jan. 10 reading for “Simple Abundance” is all about making the most of every moment of life so we don’t leave this earthly world with regrets. It references Emily from Thornton Wilder’s Our Town and some Christians’ practice of celebrating the Epiphany.
You could look at Dickens’ A Christmas Carol for a similar message (live each moment with a generous spirit), and I’m sure there are many more references in classic or popular fiction that teach this message.
So this isn’t a new message for most of us. The trick is to figure out how to put it into practice. And that, I’m afraid, has stumped me so far. Between my family life, my professional “day job” life and my writing life, I’m juggling dozens of priorities and demands on any given day. Most days it’s impossible to focus for more than a few minutes on any one thing.
Have you ever seen that TV show Limitless? (It’s based on the movie with Bradley Cooper.) The hero, a nice, average American young man who stumbles onto a narcotic (NZT) that opens his brain up to full capacity. Suddenly there are no limits to his intellectual abilities. And of course he runs into troubles–good guys vs. bad guys.
It’s a cool concept, and a fun show.
Is this what we need to live in each moment for that moment’s sake? Is this how we wring “life” out of every nanosecond–joyful, hopeful, despairing, ill…whatever?
I’ll have to set my sights on more realistic goals and try to be more aware, more present in each moment, and see where that gets me.
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In late 2015 I started reading “Simple Abundance” a daily devotional by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It’s more than a devotional; it’s a guide to recognizing, and seeking, the joy in each moment. I haven’t quite reached that state, but I’m hopeful. I’ve decided to share my daily thoughts on this blog. I’d love to hear yours as well.