[lovingstrangers]

Live in the present, that's the advice we mostly get. And hell ya I am living in present, sometimes happy, sometimes sad but pretty much adjusted to the idea of living in present. But then again this new advice from people that you have to think about your future, work for it and all... I am confused man. Well I may sound stupid to you but I am really scared of my future, and the thought of living in present and not thinking of future comforts me. But lets just face the reality, life doesn't work that way, everyone knows that. And everyone knows you have to overcome this fear but this is just what I know and doesn't experience.

I know I have to overcome this fear but I simply can't. I mean this is simple, how hard it is to understand that but my mind doesn't get that. I feel this enormous energy inside me most of the time, and i am like breathing heavily, and I don't know if its because I am scared of future or just because I am not doing enough things.

Thinking of me as a grown-up and taking responsibilities, working simply beats the **** out of me. Some of you may think I am lame but that's the reality. I am hell scared...

[avlady]

i think alot of people think that way about the future, and it is one of my biggest fears, when i'm bored the thoughts of death and just how i could survive without my husband and son and immediate family crosses my mind. i worry about disability being gone even though i've been on it since 1987 after an accident. i also worry if i feel like i need the hospital, anxiety being the problem, as i would rather be home,even though i tell people the hospital isn't bad, anymore. i just need to have some sort of consistancy in my life, i'm disabled and wish to God i could find a job outside my home, but i don't even have transportation.

[roads]

Living in the present is very practical advice, because we don't have a clue what the future holds.

I was driving late one night down Interstate 10, trying to make it home for Christmas, when all of a sudden these planks of wood came flying at me in the dark. I was driving a Bronco and I guess maybe that helped--or maybe my guardian angel was working overtime. I don't know.

My point is that worrying about driving at night wouldn't have helped. If I've been smart, if I'd planned better, I wouldn't have to drive at night. But it's not the sort of thing that worrying about the future is ever going to help with.

By living fully in the present, you devote all your resources into becoming the strongest, healthiest, most prepared you you can be. By living in the present, you are grounded and centered, balanced and present, aware of your self and your world.

When the future becomes the present, you're centered and present to whatever it brings--much less likely to be knocked off course because you're already unbalanced by anxiety and fear.

At least, that's how I see it. I meditate and use yoga to help me stay in the here and now. It works for me better than other coping skills.

roadie

[H3rmit]

I thought the point of living in the present was not to live in the past. The present should be motivated by the future, though. Just my two bits.