Gravity

Gravity is said to be the byproduct of space bending around mass in the field of time. It is also said that the gravity of situations is the weight and consequentiality of the moment. The physical forces of the universe push and pull, slingshotting existence in never-ending motions of orbit and connection--moments whose sway and influence alter our trajectories with unexpected mutuality. Any attempt to deny the existence of that which demands our attention is a futile endeavor. The forces of the Universe are the natural order and laws of nature. On occasion, unforeseen elements are introduced, and the appearance of order is altered by the gravity of that which we did not foresee becoming inherently part of what is an ever-expanding equation. 

Places and people call us, like sirens, to which our souls innately yearn to endeavor. In the most intense moments of gravity we acknowledge that, from which we cannot turn away. These brief glimpses of timelessness dance through the windows of existence which we call ourselves. Our lives. Our stories. 

The earth does not try to break away from the sun, nor slow, nor speed, its orbit. It revolves under an influence it cannot deny. As do our lives. Accepting Life, and ourselves, on their own terms--meaning, what is, as opposed to what we think should be (or what we think should have been), seems to be the most comfortable way to move through the cosmos. As do the planets. As do the stars. As do the galaxies. 

As do we. 

Perhaps, rather than feeling the pressure to embrace Life, we might consider allowing Life to embrace us. Perhaps, like a radio, cultivating reception is what compels us to tune into the moments where authentic living resides. The capacity to receive, and the courage to act, intersect where the essence of vision manifests into existence. The future is always decided in the present moment, which is all there is. Our lifetime of experience directly contradicts our brief investments in the illusion of fear. Gravity is nowhere to be seen in and of itself. But it cannot be denied. It is the magnetic connection born of the dance between ourselves and that with which we are undeniably tethered--intrinsically linked--orbiting in the field of existence. Gravity seems to be more than just a byproduct of space bending around mass in the field of time. It is the bond that binds us. It is the relationship with the other that creates the orbit of ourselves. Embracing gravity defines us by acknowledging the glorious tensions which hold the most sway. We long, and wait, for moments that have weight. We say, "That's heavy," to imply that an experience is deep, but are we not really saying that those most authentic of moments have not just depth, but weight, as do we, who are anchored to the earth by what we call gravity. It is said that attention is love. Gravity holds our attention. That's heavy. That has weight. That is worth waiting for. That cannot be denied.

Investing in the Present Moment

The best way to invest in the future is by investing in the present.

Everything that we’ve experienced has one thing in common; it all came before this moment. Every memory that we tap into moves the past into the present and moves the present into the future. Yet, what the past and future have in common is that they both do not exist, except in the placement of our attention outside of this present moment. It is only where we place our attention, filled with the energetic charge of emotional regret or hope, that creates a space that removes us from the only place where we can truly invest our energy. Our focus on the present moment releases us from the consequences of the false belief that we must experience distress as a result of choices we made this morning--or even, ten years ago--or the tension of planning what we hope is yet to come. The Buddha said, “If you want to know your past, look at your present. If you want to know your future, look at your present.” I assume that the Buddha knew a thing or two. 

What would happen if, for a moment, or two, we actually put down whatever we were doing, took a breath, and considered how it might feel if we chose to believe it was true that the present moment is where we reside, and that we are fully capable of peacefully accessing it, without the fear that we had to change, or do something about it, or create a new habit, or worry that we’ve wasted time? What would it feel like to simply stop--right now, this moment--and allow ourselves to feel what it’s like to reside in this present moment? With nothing to do. Nothing to accomplish. Nothing to fear. No choice to make. Nothing to do over. 

What does it feel like to take a breath and surrender to everything exactly as it is in this moment? To realize that this very moment is the same very moment that has always been. How deeply can you allow yourself to just let go and relax--sinking deep into your self and releasing anything other than peace?--just for this moment, so we can catch a glimpse of the experience, and know it. Knowing how something feels for a moment is enough to recognize it for a lifetime. That is choice. There is nothing to hang onto. Nothing to make up for. Nothing to forgive. The past has no bearing on the choice we have in the present. When the future arrives it will take place in the present. The best way to prepare for both is to stay anchored in this moment. Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken,” It could similarly be said that we should be in the present, because there is truly nowhere else to be.