Peace of Mind News

Last Thursday, after a short and productive meeting with a client in her office, I headed towards my home office. Since the appointment had been more efficient than anticipated, I found my mind wondering towards what I would do when I arrived after my thirty minute drive.

As I considered the possibilities, I heard that internal voice that I have come to recognize as Spirit.

“You’re not there yet. Enjoy the drive and stay in this moment.”

This is not new advice.

I’ve heard it many times.

It has come from that internal voice. It has come from spiritual teachers.

I’ve heard myself give it to others.

Dan Millman’s words resonate within me daily. “The only place is here. The only time is now.”

I followed the guidance as I focused on the drive through Tijeras Canyon and into the Sandia Mountains. I noticed the cloudless azure sky and the enchanting landscape. I saw the swallows’ nests at the local library. I realized the cholla were in full bloom.

When I arrived home, I settled down to lunch in front of my computer while I checked email.

Two bites into my meal, a message popped up on my screen from a childhood friend who still lives two thousand miles away, in the area where I graduated from high school and where my parents reside.

Just wanted to give you a heads-up – there has been a fire this afternoon at Spruce Village – everyone has been evacuated and I believe I heard them say they had been moved to Beverly Health Care. It’s on MartinsvilleCityNews.com – they’ve been covering the fire on their live feed.

It took me a moment to process the information.

Spruce Village is the apartment complex where my parents live. It was on fire.

I found the news website, turned on the live feed, and watched the reports. I learned the fire started on the third floor. My parents’ apartment is on the third floor.

I spent the next couple of hours attempting to get information about my parent’s health and location. The reporter said no one was seriously hurt. He said everyone would move to temporary housing for the night.

He didn’t say who to contact for more information if you were an only child with aging parents two thousand miles away. I wanted to rush to Virginia to help them.

Spirit said, “The only place is here. The only time is now.”

We finally reached my parents’ pastor. He said the fire started just down the hall from my parents’ apartment. He was coordinating efforts to make sure they had what they needed and were in a safe location. He promised to take care of everything for them and to keep us updated.

Upon receipt of that information, I knew why Spirit didn’t want me to plan my day on the drive home. Whatever I had planned would have been postponed so I could respond to the now that was happening here.

Last Thursday’s experience gave me renewed perspective on what lies ahead.

The future is always full of promise.

Each person has situations that will resolve somewhere down the road.

I’ve written for months about the upcoming financial changes that must happen. Every day, I receive questions about what is next.

Everyone wants to prepare.

More immediately, our little community is preparing for Friday’s visit by Presidential Candidate and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson.

It is easy to get lost in those preparations.

It is easy to drift off to a fantasyland we call the future.

The problem with doing so is that we aren’t there yet. In fact, if we continue to live in this way, we will never be there because, when the future becomes the now, we won’t be there. We will be preparing for the future.