Thoughtful Thursday
“Forever is composed of nows.” ~Emily Dickinson
We spend a lot of time thinking about later.
When things settle down.
When the schedule opens up.
When the project is finished.
When the kids are older.
When work becomes less demanding.
When we finally have more time.
The problem is that life keeps happening while we are waiting for the right moment to begin noticing it.
Emily Dickinson’s words are such a simple reminder that forever is not some distant stretch of time waiting for us in the future.
It is being built right now.
In this conversation.
This morning.
This drive.
This meal.
This ordinary Thursday.
The moments that feel small while we are living them are often the ones we miss most when they are gone.
We tend to think the important parts of life will announce themselves.
Many of them do not.
They look like sitting at the kitchen table a few minutes longer.
They sound like laughter from another room.
They feel like a cool morning, a familiar voice, a hand reaching for yours, or someone telling you a story you have already heard three times.
Presence does not require us to make every moment meaningful.
It simply asks us to be there for the ones we are already living.
There will always be another task.
Another deadline.
Another place to be.
Another version of later calling for our attention.
Today is not the space between the important moments.
Today is one of them.
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