Dear Reader,
There is a wisdom that transcends culture, religion, and empire: the recognition that the only moment we truly hold is now. The Buddha said it plainly: “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” His words remind us that the present is not a passing point between what was and what will be—it is the heartbeat of life itself.
Voices Across Time
Mahatma Gandhi carried this thought into the realm of action. “The future depends on what you do today,” he taught. Gandhi’s vision was not abstract but practical: every act of truth and compassion in the present reshapes the world that comes after.
I find this in my own recovery journey. If I spend my energy regretting the past or worrying about whether I will “stay sober forever,” I miss the gift of today. When I take it one day at a time, I can live Gandhi’s truth—what I do today determines the freedom of my tomorrow.
The Dalai Lama echoes this with warmth and simplicity: “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow. Today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly live.”
I’ve tasted this wisdom in small moments: sharing laughter with friends, or handing a meal to someone in need at the mission. In those instances, the burdens of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow fade. What matters is the simple gift of presence—listening, serving, and loving in the moment at hand.
Jesus Christ, too, pointed his disciples to the sufficiency of the present: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” (Matthew 6:34). Faith, he taught, is not found in anxious planning, but in trusting God today.
The Stoic emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote to himself in his Meditations: “Confine yourself to the present.” He saw how much energy we waste in regret or fear. To live wisely is to be fully awake to what is right in front of us.
A Day in the Present
September 11, 2025, reminded me of how rich life becomes when we actually live in the present.
I had the joy of joining a friend for an art exhibit in San Francisco, a breathtaking display on the creation and completion of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Standing before Michelangelo’s vision, I felt awe—not of history long past, but of art speaking directly into this moment of my life.
The day carried its own marvels of the future as well: my friend and I traveled by AI driverless cab. Trusting the car to choose the route and navigate the city’s complexity gave me a surprising sense of freedom—like living in a glimpse of tomorrow, here today.
Later, over plates of variety at a Chinese buffet, I savored flavors from around the world, each dish a reminder of life’s abundance. That evening, I laughed and pondered as I watched Quantum Leap, a show about time travel—fitting for a day so full of past, future, and present interwoven.
And as if to complete the lesson, I ended my night in conversation with a young man carrying the weight of conflict with his estranged father. I listened, offering compassion and the wisdom my own life has taught me. It struck me again: being fully present with another person may be the greatest gift we ever give.
That day was not extraordinary because of art, technology, or food alone. It was extraordinary because I was there for it. I did not hide in the shadows of yesterday or in fear of tomorrow. I lived it.
Urgency in Action
For others, the present moment was not about quiet stillness but decisive movement. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded the world: “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.”
I think of this when I hesitate to try new things. After my husband’s passing, I often told myself, “I’ll do it later—when I’m ready.” But the truth was, “later” never came. The first time I said yes to joining a group at church, or to carrying the message of recovery into a detox center, I realized that action must be taken in the now. Waiting for the perfect moment means losing the moment altogether.
Even the great strategists and rulers grasped this truth. Julius Caesar warned, “Delay is the deadliest form of denial.” Alexander the Great marched with relentless immediacy, refusing to wait for perfect conditions. Their lives testify that opportunities belong to those who act in the moment.
Even Joseph Stalin, in his darker vision, demanded unrelenting focus on the present tasks of the state. Though his application lacked compassion, it still reflected the conviction that all real power lies in what is done today.
The Common Thread
What unites these voices—from saints to soldiers, prophets to politicians—is an insistence that the present moment is not to be squandered. Whether we seek inner peace, social justice, or the shaping of nations, all paths converge in the now.
The past has already spoken. The future is not yet ours. Only in the present can we pray, choose, act, and love.
So, dear reader, may we not dwell in what has been, nor dream idly of what may come, but live today with clarity, faith, courage, and compassion.
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