Living in the moment in twenty pages
Ben Franklin, my favorite geek, said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." I try to remember that when my mind starts to focus on "what if's." For the most part, there's an assumed or expected response to certain actions. It's almost conditioned. We think we know, but we don't. The truth is, much of what we fear happening - if the event we fear occurs at all - is much less severe than how we imagined it. For the most part, many of us spend the day living in the past or the future. But the past has occurred and the future never will. Rarely are we present; In the moment; In the now.
This is the overall message of "Zen Shorts," by Jon J Muth, as its delivered by its peaceful, unassuming main character - a panda by the name of Stillwater. At only about twenty pages in length, this book is one of the most powerful books you'll ever read. It's one of my kids' favorite and, the first time I read it, it became one of mine.
Here's Jon talking about his new book Zen Ties (which I have yet to read,) but he touches on points that also apply to Zen Shorts and Stillwater.
Recently, I joined Todd Henry's Accidental Creative website (Todd, where are my PIPs?) and I've learned that in addition to my meditative walks, I - as a creative individual - need to also take time to intentionally generate ideas. Well, now I'd like to add to that. Take time to rediscover your inner child. She's much wiser than you think. Put on some Zen Shorts.
And welcome to the present. It's nice here.
-Anthony
P.S. Just as I'm getting ready to post this - a little after midnight on Sunday night/Monday morning - I look up and see... a panda! What are the odds? Now, that's one heck of a God Wink.
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