Yesterday, the weather was perfect. The skies were blue, the waters green, the sun shone bright, and a cool breeze blew. Yes, it did seem picture-perfect as I enjoyed every minute of my lazy afternoon watching little children jump joyously, splashing water at each other in the lake. Nearby, their parents watched them lovingly, enjoying a beer or two, and basking in the sun, wearing the bare minimums. Couples held hands and kissed in the water while I sat there on the grass with a smile on my lips, thanking God for a wonderful day.
And then it happened. On my way back home, I began to dread Monday. Monday blues are something that we all commonly experience at some point in our lives, whether or not we love our jobs or whatever else we do for a living. I began to groan in my head at the thought of waking up to a shrill alarm clock at 7:20 am, dressing up to go to work, juggling my way through horrible traffic, and going through boring training seminars for half the day. For dinner, I stopped by at my favorite cafe to eat a healthy sandwich and enjoyed it thoroughly as I bit into the greens smothered with feta cheese and a mediterranean dressing. The moment I set foot into my car, my Monday blues returned.
I came back home and turned on the TV, a luxury that I have now begun to afford after my school days. And yet, I could not focus. I kept glancing at the clock, wishing bedtime never came. However, as hard as I tried, I was unable to change my destiny. The clock did strike midnight. My eyes did get droopy. I did fall asleep. And I did get up on time to go to work today.
As I write this post, another Monday has passed by. I now await the weekend and am counting my days till Friday. But then I wonder, what is the point? In waiting for the Friday, I am losing out on all the experiences of joy that I could have encountered today or might tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that too.
In waiting for the future, am I spoiling my present? Did I miss out on experiencing the full joy of hearing from someone I had not in ten years today? Did I miss out smiling genuinely when the cashier at the gas station told me that I looked beautiful today? Did I miss out on the great sunset while driving back home on Sunday evening?
Some of us are truly living in the future with the hope of making it better without realizing that in doing so, we are losing out the opportunity of enjoying an already good present. We have to live in the NOW. Not in the THEN. They don't say "tomorrow never comes" without a reason.
Just My Thing
15 years ago
127 Words of Wisdom:
True...its better when one lives in the moment..specially when the moment is good rather than assuming n dreading abt a day that is ahead!
n wooow..u have a lake near ur place:) That must be beautiful..we have a river behind my new aptment..tht we can see from the balcony n i love it!!
probably its all about hope of a better tomorrow that makes ppl live in the future, rather than try to make good of the present.
At the same time, living in present gives the satisfaction of being alive. we dont know about the future.
living in the future came because of the milestones we set, how we commit our paths in life. without that, we dont have to yearn for another day. not setting one, means walking blindly.
too many possibilities.
bt i agree, the present means everything, every single second of it. it answers questions, it creates joy, or sadness, it touches, it connects, it tells you what is real.
:)
True. You should enjoy the NOW, but have an eye on the future. Dont spoil the NOW for tomorrow, but have an eye on the tomorrow such that for the NOW, you dont spoil your tomorrow.
Its a balance one has to maintain but have the scales slightly tipped to the NOW side.
and here's that C&H seems to tell so briliantly about life, and the present...atleast from what I think:
http://www.spikedhumor.com/article.aspx?id=124169
start watching belly-dancing on Wednesdays and partying on Thursdays ;).
Just every once in a blue moon - i go through this whole thing of dreading the future - for no apparent reason.
Then I get the shivers.... and it takes some hard concentrating to get back to the present - the NOW and - relax!!
wonderful post sol..
felt good..yeah, most of us forget to live in 'PRESENT' anticipating the pleasures in 'FUTURE'....
what we dont realize is that building stones for FUTURE is laid in the 'PRESENT'...
I know few friends of mine who keep on cribbing on all week days and then at the end during the week days also they will have to work..!!
ur post is inspirational and definitely i am going to forward this atleast to one or two..
keep writing..!!
i think the moment is very imp sneha..as u said u enjoyed ur sandwich ...u could not enjoy it if u wer thinkin abt tmmr or abt the things....being wat ever u r at the moment helps u a lot yaar..and abt the Monday blues...i was in big trouble with my previous post which i deleted....
there is the NOW moment wer u can have a lots of things...happiness at now is always cool....and angry u dint invite me for the sandwich ;)...lol...
tomorrow never comes
s kal ho na hoo..live for today...lets think abt tmmr wen we put our foot there...
Lovely post..
urs..hemu..
Good one Solitaire :) - as always.
This post reminded me of a quote by Corrie Ten Boom "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow ; it saps today of its strength."
Sums the whole thing up so effectively. But then again, it is a notable human tendency, is it not - to worry about the future to worry about tomorrow - rather than enjoy the present to its fullest.
I worry - about rather inconsequential things too. And this tendency of mine has made me try and introspect.
My question is : Is worrying a form of coping mechanism that the human mind itself has devised, albeit unconsciously ? A coping mechanism that is designed to maybe partially shield or protect oneself from potential harm.
As in saying that if one anticipates something negative, one has the time to garner strength or any other force there may be to try and cope with the negativity.
And about the question you asked me in the comments section of your earlier post Solitaire - you tell me, do you think I am ? :D
v well said!
hey did u get my msg about sending an award your way? :)
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present." - KUNG FU PANDA
"Life is what happens when you are busy planning for it " - JOHN LENNON
So many such quotes are so true in our daily life...but we dun realize it...
but dun worry World cant end today...coz its already tommorrow in Australia!! :P
Most of the times we are only interested to reach the destination rather then enjoying the whole journey!!
lovely post!
yet to experience those onday morning blues, u know am making the most of now :P i enjoy sleeping eating and chatting :D
why dont u take a break?
This is a beautiful post with a very valuable message.
I really really hope ppl will try and get the real meaning behind this post other than just acknowledging wut u so beautifully said. It's not that easy to live for the moment...cos we humans dream, hope, plan alot.
There used to be a time when I worried so much abt Tomorrow, next week, next year, 10yrs down the track etc etc. Then something happened that changed my outlook on life forever. That made me realise that it's really no point fretting abt a future time that I dun really hv any control of. All I hv control of is right NOW. So I learnt to live in the moment, for today...right now. Cos that's all I've really got.
Wonderful to realise that u look at life the same way! If more ppl had this kind of wisdom, we'd hv less unhappy ppl in this world.
Keshi.
@ Lukky,
What do you want me to take a break from Divya? A job that started only two weeks ago?
You make the most of your sleeping, eating, and chatting!!! These days will never come back!
@ Dreamcatcher,
Thanks!! On Sunday, I did not even want to reach the destination. I just kept thinking about it!
@ Prakhar,
Haha! So you are putting a lighter spin on this post by using Australia time to confuse me!
Love the quotes!
ha ha.. :)
agar monday ko amir tumhare office aat to bhi kya aisa hi feel karti..;)
Yes Offcourse SNEHA...take life as a cigarette(I'm sorry if I spelt it wrong since I have spelling dislexia....lol).Enjoi the first puff then the second puff and on and on and on.If u think that the cigarette will be over then u won't enjoi the puffs.Because the ultimate reality is that it will get over(just like life).You can take another cigarette but you won't have another life....Live to the fulliest...God Bless
PS: The above example is for smokers like me who just smoke one a day,so chain smokers don't be offended.
Hey Sol. There was a time I used to have Monday blues too right from Sunday afternoon cuz of my crazy boss.Thankfully we got him to quit.
And now I really enjoy my work. I wait for the Monday to come and before I know it the week is over and its the weekend again :D
aah..firstly..i envy u!!
having a nice day at the beach is something I am yearning for!
And well to live in the present is to actually live...to live for future is anticipation!
So..to live or not to live...is the endless debate we always have..
Goodness, I can COMPLETELY relate to this. I am in India right now and I should be enjoying my holidays. Instead I think/worry about returning to UK at the end of this month, start of a new semester, assignments, exams, blah blah blah...and end up wasting these precious days!!!
Well its all about stop running and maybe only walk with arest once a while to see what all u created or missed noticing....
Very well put. How true too!
Btw, horrible traffic?
sophie b. hawkins!!!
so luv this song of hers...
:)
wanna ask ya only one question...
will this post help you in not worrying while returning home next sunday???
>:P
Sol,truer words were never spoken..and,a coincidence.Just two days back, a (senior)friend of mine had gone to the doc,because he'd been feeling breathless everytime he walked a bit.And,it turned out that he has a cardiac prob,hi BP,diabetes.Now,he's gone to India for treatment from his family docs.
---
When I came to know of this,I was wondering exactly the same thing-why do I dread any day,any hour,minute,moment of the week?What if some situation would occur with me?(Touchwood,so far,God's been good,things going fine and should continue)..wouldn't I regret not having enjoyed life to the hilt,till that day?I mean,every present moment has it's own charm,so why can't I enjoy that as well as look forward to what's coming in the future?
---
But then,all said and done,I'm still happier with the 'present'than many people in the group I have...perhaps it's my firm belief in God and in'whatever happens is for the best'.
Nice post,as always!
@ Dreamcatcher,
Then I would worry that Tuesday is going to come soon and Aamir Khan will soon leave!
ohoo!!
agar aamir ko pehle pata hota to..Lagaan ki heroine tumhi hoti..u missed it.. :)
gud post..but no matter wat we have to think bout our future....
life's all abt leaving a space in hallows of time.1 who learnt to live will never die....sounded too philosophical?nice read..
ha ha..i can understand that monday blues thing....it happens with every body....even i hate to get up early...but chalta hain yaar/...life is like that...tabhi to hum holidays ko cherish kar sakte hain...
neways i do agree we should live in the present...but then kehne aur karne mein bahut farak hota hain...
isnt it...
cheers dear
parul
(hope nu understand hindi, if not, lemme know)
I can completely relate to this post. Very often, it seems that I'm not able to enjoy my present just because I'm worried about the future.
i did not read this blog...i just commented to your short and sweet blog...and now when i read this blog...the same comment fits here too :) :)...
"its not that tomorrow never comes,
its the today that leads to tomorrow!
its the time which stays or moves as we know it moves!"
"if the gas station guy told you that you looked beautiful on a particular day,
you must know very well that you look beautiful everyday and everytime, whether anyone tells you or not!"
@ La Vida,
Thanks!! I did!! And I am trying to post them all on blogger and it says the format is not right..I don't know what to do!! I am not so techno savvy!
@ Gauri,
***Good one Solitaire :) - as always.
Thanks!
***This post reminded me of a quote by Corrie Ten Boom "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow ; it saps today of its strength."
Awesome!
***My question is : Is worrying a form of coping mechanism that the human mind itself has devised, albeit unconsciously ? A coping mechanism that is designed to maybe partially shield or protect oneself from potential harm.
I do not think worrying is a coping mechanism. Worrying is not a mechanism at all, in fact. I think it is a genuine emotion that we experience.
***As in saying that if one anticipates something negative, one has the time to garner strength or any other force there may be to try and cope with the negativity.
I would call that more preparedness than worry.
***And about the question you asked me in the comments section of your earlier post Solitaire - you tell me, do you think I am ? :D
I don't know. You certainly sound very insightful!!
@ Hemu,
Thanks!! I know all that but question is how to overcome these Monday Blues and the drifting off into the future? And sorry was away for a while from the online world so have no idea about your deleted post.
@ Vinz,
Thank you!
You are right but I am not necessarily talking about the "pleasures" of the future. I was in fact worrying about something that I was not looking forward to.
Haha!! I am flattered that you are going to forward the post. I hope that they can get over their Monday blues!
@ Arjun,
Its once in a blue moon, right? You are doing well!!
@ Tuhin,
Haha! Good idea!!! But what about Monday mornings??? Go drunk to work, maybe?
@ Apoo,
I had to read that twice but once it sunk in, I realized those words are brilliant!!!!!
Thanks!
@ Ghost,
***probably its all about hope of a better tomorrow that makes ppl live in the future, rather than try to make good of the present.
But it was dread that I was talking about, not hope, Ghost. I wish I was more hopeful about my Monday being great and all that jazz!
****At the same time, living in present gives the satisfaction of being alive. we dont know about the future.
Precisely. Yet we spend so much of our time worrying about the future and trying to get someone to predict it for us.
***too many possibilities.
Can be overwhelming or exciting, depending on how you look at it.
***bt i agree, the present means everything, every single second of it. it answers questions, it creates joy, or sadness, it touches, it connects, it tells you what is real.
Thanks once again. As usual, your comments are deep.
@ Pavi,
**True...its better when one lives in the moment..specially when the moment is good rather than assuming n dreading abt a day that is ahead!
Much better than the frowns for something that has not even happened yet.
Actually my place is nowhere near a lake. Its bang in downtown. :D
I had to drive an hour to get to the lake.
@ Keshi,
Thanks!!
***It's not that easy to live for the moment...cos we humans dream, hope, plan alot.
And add worry to that list too.
***There used to be a time when I worried so much abt Tomorrow, next week, next year, 10yrs down the track etc etc. Then something happened that changed my outlook on life forever. That made me realise that it's really no point fretting abt a future time that I dun really hv any control of.
Exactly. We can plan as much as we want and try and avoid things as well. But is going to happen is going to happen.
@ Bently,
Life and cigarettes!! What a unique analogy. I do not think I have heard that one before.
Actually I am not sure that everyone will agree that we will not have another life because some people believe in reincarnation. However, we don't remember anything from our previous lives anyway so essentially, its as good as having one life.
@ SMM,
Good for you!!!! Tell me..do you never worry about things that have not yet happened but are only probable to happen?
@ Ekta,
Thanks!! There is a difference between living for the future, and ruining our present by worrying about it right? I do not really mind people planning and organizing and looking ahead, because in some ways, I am like that too. But no point worrying, is there?
@ Ash,
Oh! I am glad you stopped by then! Hope this post helps you in enjoying the remaining of your vacation to the fullest!
@ Chaggoholic,
True! But I do not like walking or running! :D
@ Busy writer,
Thanks!
Yeah Houston sucks in terms of traffic!
@ Humble,
Haha! I do not know but I sure hope so!
@ AmitL,
Thanks!!
It is sooo true. Sometimes we learn our lessons the hard way. We think that we have it all planned and yet, just one second can change our life forever, in ways that we never anticipated. So it is better to enjoy the present as if tomorrow is never going to come. I know its easier said than done, though. I am glad you are able to do that. I too believe that whatever happens always does for the best!!
@ Nirmal,
Thanks! Thinking and planning for the future is different from worrying about it without any reason to.
@ Anwesa,
Thanks! Philosophical or not..it does have much "dum" in it!
@ Parul,
Yes I do understand Hindi! :)
I know kehne aur karne mein pharak hai. It is easier said than done but try karne mein kya harz hai? Tabhi toh improvements honge!
Sorry..that was my Hinglish blurb!
@ Ash,
Very common human tendency. We can learn to improve on it once we are aware of it. So don't lose hope!
@ Raghu,
Thanks!!
Its not about me looking beautiful everyday or not. Its about me cherishing that compliment. We all know that compliments bring a smile on others' faces whether or not they knew about that fact themselves.
Can you give me a link to your blogs on rediffland?
//But it was dread that I was talking about, not hope, Ghost. I wish I was more hopeful about my Monday being great and all that jazz!//
ppl in the office used to say Monday is the best day of the week, i just hated them. even the boss...trying to make everyone happy. bah. on Mondays, i jst go have one of those long breakfasts/brunchs and only come in when my supervisor calls :p pays to be the only editor there. hemm...now I kinda miss the place.
back in school mondays was for assembly. oh hell! theyll make us sing and give hour long lectures on everything that a teen should really do but not be done coz 'our countries culture is not like that'.
see, i hate monday's too. but then again, it makes great memory right. :)
and fridays are what we hope for.
**But what's going to happen is going to happen.
I truly believe in that!
Keshi.
How would like a Sunday if there were no Monday?
Oops! typo!
Who would like a Sunday if there were no Monday?
lets say..i had all u guys around me in those sad moments so i thought of al the happy moments which let me pass the monday blues away just like that..some times its hard but had to pass them with hope..:)..
urs..hemu..
Hey I want an invite to calm Frenzies Sol
true!!! I needed this one... i was so looking for the Friday :)
Now i know u r right :)
well it happens :P
So now you have this google ads powering up ur blog? Imagine the kind of ads we'll be subjected to given the kind of topics you write about. I just saw an all-gay resort ad!
Hmmmmm, I'm still thinking :)
Nicely written and oh so true. This is something I often think, even wrote about it some time ago.
But there was something I heard from one of my fav personality that stayed in my mind. She said, 'Breathe. Let go. The only thing you can ever be sure of in your life is NOW.'
You know it all Sol and I'm sure you're making the most of your moments now :)
@ Still Thinking,
Thank you Mr. Deep Thinker. :p
Those are great words! I think I do know it. Just that I forget sometimes. So this post is a reminder to myself and to everyone else!
@ Tuhin,
Hehe! I saw that too! Funny, isn't it?
@ Vishesh,
To you too?
@ Veens,
:) Thank you!
BTW, Friday is almost here! :D
@ SMM,
:(
It is closed for everyone at this time. Trying to sort some things out. Will open it up when the next story comes up. Ok?
@ Hemu,
Hope is a good way to pass blues away rather than dread. Great going!
@ Tuhin,
I do not like Sundays because there is a Monday. What about that?
@ Keshi,
Yeah I know! I think you and I have had discussions about this before.
@ Ghost,
Actually I would like to make a change in my statement. I love Monday evenings because I know that the most dreadful day of the week is over!!!
cent percent true!!!
heh! well that makes sense. all the other weekdays are jst markers towards the weekend. cut one day ahead in the calendar, and u get there faster.
i wonder how things work for ppl with no idea of time or day. like...hmmm ME! :D
wow, dat really forced me to think whee is my life headed!!
oh yeah i so dread mondays too n i just keep waiting for fridays.
n after reading yru post i just realised all i do the whole week is wait for friday after friday.....
i think with me its like i have one foot in my past n another in my future....
damn.....thanks for this post.....its high time i live in my present.
So true!It does not do to dwell in the past or dream of the future,thereby wasting away the gift called the present.
if you truly genuinely love the work you do, monday blues disappear. i found this out very recently but only in flashes.
like steve jobs says, since work is going to fill a major part of your life, it's good to do what you "trulY" love.
That said, i think it's human nature to love chasing - be it chasing happiness or chasing a guy/girl. the moment the chase is over, the value of the chaseee (so to speak) goes down.
yep :)
Keshi.
Beautiful blogs. Read most of them in one read
Liked the Life and the highway analogy; future (looking forward to); my first love; should I; Friends and lots of others.
Added to my favorites
Babes you got my gender wrong and I mind coz I luvvv my accessories :p
And lets not proclaim that 'thinking' is the prerogative of our other halves only :D
P.S: I think I'm gonna put a clear pic soon :(
yup yup yup very true
hey thats so true...even i just live now for it to b thursday eve so that i can have my friday off...and b4 i know it the day is over and its bac to work...i too feel that i am missing the joys of life due to this...
you know i live in the present but want friday to come sooner still :D I guess these 2 things dont relate together, it is more like one should realize the importance of today but still has the right of blaming the long working week. Quite confusing i guess.
Solitaire,
True, we all get Monday blues- specially if it has been a long week end. I agree with you that we should enjoy today. Past is past and future who knows. Live today but of course cater for tommorow, not with worries.
I tried to visit your other site - realimaginations but was denied.
Take care
This reminds me of one of the hiring manager's idea of coming up wid Monday Morning parties to soothe down da sores of all employees...there were games arranged, free beer, music on in the office..worked really well...Off late the employees have been complaining of "Tuesday Morning Blues" :P
@ Ann,
Haha!! That only goes to tell us that we are never satisfied!
@ Jack,
Thanks!! Yes..we should all aim for a balance.
Real imaginations is currently closed . Will let you know when its up.
@ Lena,
Haha! Ya..we want to have our cake and eat it too!
@ Enigma,
We are all in auto pilot mode!
@ Amrita,
Thank you!
@ Still thinking,
OMG! I am so sorry! I would have minded too. Won't happen again.
@ Suresh,
Thanks! Glad to have you here. Keep visiting.
@ Jitendra,
I truly love my work but what I hate is waking up early in the morning. Groan!
@ Sameera,
**A gift called present...
Have heard this beautiful phrase before. Thanks for reminding me again.
@ Princess,
Oh you are welcome!! I am in the same boat as you and am going to try to do so. Let's see how much can be achieved.
@ Gunj,
And???
@ Ghost,
You should tell us that...do you have any day blues?
@ Vandita,
:)
again i am repeating the same thing....sab maya hai re:)
I completely identify with your last para...its holds so much of me.
Doesnt it feel at times, this isnt your thing, your true calling is elsewhere...and everytime that feeling returns n you have no answer its so exhausting emotionally.
Maybe someday I'll find out.
On a weird note,
I think monday evening is my fave time of the week.....knowing the most horrid day is just over...lol !
Most times the rest of the week swims by so fast.
@ Cinderella,
OMG! You should read my response to ghost. I said exactly the same thing to him about monday evenings!!!!
Great minds think alike, eh?
My true calling...hmmmm...I know its somewhere else...when I go to a 8 to 5 job, I get into an autopilot mode.
hemmm...kinda just let time pass without paying attention to days (or deadlines... :(
im only aware of my bday. when some unsuspecting soul call me to wish it then i get all blur and say 'oh yes, duh I forgot.'
thats only one day in a year for blues.
im crazy the rest of the days...hibernate during summers...no winter here.
wowwww :)
tat left me with that fleeting feeling of love and candies n sunsets n good things in life..
thanks a ton woman!
maybe sumtimes ur soo busty observing
life that u forget to take part ?
Sorryyyyyyyyyy not busty..thats busy i meant... :)
@ Paratrooper,
Haha!! What's on YOUR mind today?
@ Jane,
Haha! You are welcome!
@ Ghost,
Wait!! You get birthday blues?
not the serious type... i jst feel sad on my bdays. wait...does that count as the dreaded bday blues?! god!
lol.... interrogation blues!
the last paragraph sums it all
made a nice read :)
it's all about living each moment to it's fullest.
That's the attitude that makes the happiest people happy. :)
Oh..how I wish to have a Monday blue!
Tomorrow will come,I'm hopeful.But today is important for that tomorrow to be felt.
Nice reading you today.Takecare.
hahaha..how true man,,,how true...but i guess people are always optimistic about their future and hence they always wait for the next day to bring them some more joy
@ Rakesh,
Again I say..."yeh maya kaun hai?"
@ Nefarious,
Haaan..that is a nice way of looking at it!
@ Sree,
No monday blues for you?
@ •♥•...๑۩۞۩๑♥V♥๑۩۞۩๑..•♥•
Then why is that so difficult for us to follow?
@ Vanilla,
Thanks!
@ Paratrooper,
Haha!!!
@ Ghost,
Yeah..you are not blissfully ignorant anymore.
They dont call today as the "present" for no reason...
Its a gift, the present, today or now...
enjoy it while it lasts...
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