Embracing The Power Of Now

A few days ago I was called to take a walk up to a local landmark, Mt. Baldy. It isn't so much of a mountain, but a stand alone hill in the middle of the Wimberley Valley with 218 steep stone steps that reward you with a 360 degree view once you reach the pinnacle. That day, however, there was much more than just a view waiting for me at the top. A group of about 10 people sat in silence around the perimeter of the flat limestone "peak," pen and paper in hand. Most were so engaged in their stillness that they didn't even notice my arrival. I circled the edge of the rock a few times to slow my heart rate and breathing back to normal after the strenuous ascent, doing my best to not disturb the peace.

There was an open spot on the ledge below the group and when I caught my breath again I made my way over to sit and do some contemplating of my own. After resting in a meditative stillness for about 10 minutes, the silence was replaced by harmonious laughter. And then they broke into song. From my perch on the side of the hill I couldn't make out the words, but that didn't matter. The voices in unison sounded as if they were coming from everywhere and nowhere all at the same time. The hills, literally, were alive with the sound of music.

In that instant a wave of gratitude washed over me. I had everything I needed to be happy and content in the present moment. I smiled as big as my cheeks would let me, took a deep breath and sighed in contentment. And made myself a promise: I would take the energy of this experience with me and remember to come back to the present and embrace the power of now. I would not give away my energy worrying about things that couldn't be changed in the past or things I couldn't control in the future. I vowed to just be.

Can you imagine the impact that embracing the power of now would have if we all chose to do it more often? I invite you to sit in a moment of silence and see for yourself how profound this one act can truly be. Give yourself the gift of the present and watch as you thrive in your future.