We experience life as a flow of time within space. We imagine the future wherever it might be, experience the present in the here and now, and remember the past wherever it happened. Each one has a purpose.
“The years of our life are seventy,
And if given strength, eighty years;
but the best of them are toil and trouble.
They pass by speedily, and we fly away.”
Psalms 90:10
Sometimes, however, we get confused. We dwell on the past for too long, are distracted from being present, and sometimes, we ignore a future we should plan for or worry about the future more than necessary. Most of the time, we should be present – it’s good for our mood and even energizing.
At this time of national Jewish vulnerability, gaining mastery of how to be present is key for resilience. We are naturally concerned about what’s happening on the battlefields, be it in Gaza or Harvard, and the future weighs very heavily – it is really hard to be present. But, this is not ideal. Too much time spent worrying about what’s happening somewhere else and on the future leaves us drained. It does not make us more empathetic and is not productive for making better plans for the future. It also paints a picture that is bleaker than it should be. Worst of all, it kills the present, and that is where we get our energy from and can actually be productive.
Daily Deed: Dr. Jonathan Feiner, in his book Mindfulness: A Jewish Approach, uses a definition of mindfulness as “notice X.” The “X” we are noticing can be anything in the present moment: bodily sensations, a thought, a flower, or a loved one. Every day, make an effort to practice this. Challenge yourself to be present for 5 minutes.
Join the Ten for Ten network and spend ten minutes a day reviewing and deepening your connection to the Aseret HaDibrot (Ten Commandments)
Do you want a printed Aseret Affirmation? Just let me know your address, and we’ll send you one free.
And, please share your insights and stories with me.
Wishing you safety and strength,
Nitzan Bergman