Am I in the Present?

Has anyone watched the movie  ‘MINORITY REPORT‘ with Tom Cruise?

It is a story set the near future, a future where murders have become so common, that a system had to be established called ‘Pre-crime’. At ‘Pre-crime’ there are 3 psychics (Pre-cogs) who can predict murders before they happen allowing police to stop potential  murders. When a police officer (actor Tom Cruise),  who has stopped numerous murders from occurring throughout in his career, is predicted to be the next person to commit a murder he begins running away from a system he helped successfully establish. While investigating why he was set up to commit murder he kidnaps one of the ‘Pre-cogs’ who has been predicting future events for many years. When the kidnapped Pre-cog is faced with the present reality she traumatically yells: “Am I in the present? Is this the present ? I’m tired of the future”!

What disorientation!  But doesn’t that happen to us all, at some level, for example when we day dream and someone interrupts out thoughts? I wonder how much of our daily thoughts are on the present moment,   Are we in the present?

Let’s ask ourselves two questions: Do I think about the past all the time? (The wrong that people have done to me, mistakes I have made, regrets I have, unforgiveness I hold, highlights that I believe will never happen again).

Do I think about my future and live in a dream constantly? (Life will be better tomorrow, If I win LOTTO my life will be better, I can’t wait till my kids grow up then I don’t have to do everything for them, I don’t want to have surgery I’m really scared, If only I was married/single ).

If we find ourselves living in the past or in the future way to often, we can do something that may help us overcome.  This is waking our senses to the present moment. We could ask ourselves or even journal these questions.

What are things that I enjoy about today?

• 3 things that I can feel – (A breeze, a soft teddy, the grass under my feet etc.)
• 3 things that I can see (The sky, A child’s face, A birthday card from a friend etc.)
• 3 things that I can taste (coffee, bacon and eggs, cake etc.) 3 things that I can smell (flower, cooking and perfume.)
• 3 things that I can hear (birds, music, laughter etc.) It doesn’t have to be 3 it can be 1 of each or ten of each …If we get into a habit of doing this daily it can become part of our daily thoughts and can help us stay present.

If you are overly struggling with being ‘Present’ – It is recommended that you seek professional counselling support.

Search for a registered counsellor near you: www.theaca.net.au

Meditation:

Regarding the PAST: Our Sins are Forgiven (Luke 7:48 and many other instances!).

Regarding the FUTURE : “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or your body, what you will wear… Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? … If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, (Matthew 6:25-3)

Regarding the PRESENT – If God has taken care of our past and promises to take care of our future then we can be assured that  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and TODAY and forever” Hebrews 13:8

Article by Vivian Biancardi
Cert.IV (Youth work), grad Cert (CFT), Cert IV.TAE, CCAA Grad Member