I am doing what many writers do on a Sunday. I am reading! I happen to be reading The Sheltering Sky, by Paul Bowles. As I sat down with my coffee, a rare indulgence for me these days with my new lifestyle, healthy diet,  I was debating on whether or not I wanted to finish the book. Was I loving it enough to spend my precious hours on it? This is what I ask myself these days when I pick up a book. I cannot say I am loving the characters. They seem rather egocentric. So self indulgent! But I could not resist my propensity for fashion, imagining Kit dressed in some fabulous outfit of the 1940’s, or watching Port handsomely attired in generous trousers with his lean frame cinched with some fine leathered belt. But as I read about the filthy conditions of the The Grand Hotel in some godforsaken city in Africa, and being forced to imagine the smell of latrines while continually swatting flies, I wondered how far my love of fashion would hold out. But then it happened. The quote of the day slapped me across the face:

“One never takes the time to savor the details, one said: another day but always with the hidden knowledge that each day is unique and final, that there would never be a return, another time.” -Paul Bowles, The Sheltering Sky

There it was! My message for today. (And also my decision to continue the book!)

I truly believe we get messages…if we listen. They are there all the time. But with our busy lives, or our “logical” mind that tells us to ignore what is so obvious, we tend to miss them. What we need. What we pray for. When we ask for help, or direction. The messages, the way, or the answer is usually there for us. We just need to recognize them.

The fact that you are reading this now…is your sign. You needed this.

I am no scholar. I am not a sage…well, that is a blog for some other time. But I am a conduit for some. We are all conduits for someone, or something. WE are connected to certain people, places, animals, events for a reason. WE HAVE A PURPOSE. We just need to recognize our roles in the daily lives we lead. We need to stop seeing each day as a series of things to accomplish and realize that each day is there for living in the moment. We have a purpose today..not for what is to come, but what is here right now.

“Stop seeing each day as a series of things to accomplish – realize each day is for living in the moment.” – Tweet That

That quote today is my reminder of this. I seem to forget often. I woke up this morning with a panic of all that I had to do: for tomorrow, for this week, for this month. I hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet for today! Wow…talk about not living in the moment!

Last night I was out with some friends. I was asked about something in my future. I turned to my girlfriend and said, “I have no idea what the future holds for me.” And I don’t. I know what I would like. I know what are my dreams and aspirations. I know what my reality is. I know I get depressed at imagining what it might hold for me. I get excited of what could happen. But that is so wasteful of my energy. I don’t know what is going to happen to me! How many times has life thrown that in my face??? Too many to count. Rightly so. It is the universe’s way of reminding me, “Today is important.”

It is a lovely day…here in California. (Sorry to those not blessed with 77 degrees in the middle of February.) The air is soft, the non-bearing pears are in bloom, and my life is quiet and peaceful as I sit here reading and writing. This blessing will be done and never to be experienced again. I am going to enjoy it for what it has to offer…and remember that although final, today is unique and should be savored.