Presently

Posted in inspirationTagged , , ,

“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” – Lao Tzu

This quote from the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, seems like an over-simplification to me but one that still makes me stop and consider. Thankfully we’ve come a long way since the 6th century BC in understanding that anxiety and depression have much deeper causes and roots than a simple tie to time-focus.

However, I take the point that what I’m prone to is living in the future and it robs me of some peace. I tend to march toward it with a single-minded determination that is at best, mindless, and at worst, anxiety-inducing. Getting out of this rut is the topic of my Wise & Shine post: Asking Questions When a Groove Becomes a Rut

(featured photo from Pexels)

29 thoughts on “Presently”

  1. Hello.
    What a great reminder from Lao Tzu that having peace means living in the present. This quote may seem simple, but it still inspires us to reflect on our thinking patterns.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 5 people

      1. I’ve read that we have 55,000 thoughts per day. It’s possible to get rid of the negative thoughts by asking, “Where did that come from” and follow up with a positive thought. I think a lot of worrying comes from the negative thoughts.

        Liked by 3 people

  3. “This quote from the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, seems like an over-simplification to me but one that still makes me stop and consider. Thankfully we’ve come a long way since the 6th century BC in understanding that anxiety and depression have much deeper causes and roots than a simple tie to time-focus.”

    I agree with this, having personally experienced that my depression and anxieties were connected to the damage I had accumulated from the abuses in my past that changed my ability to process current events in my life without the damage interfering.

    Once I did the healing work it was much easier to live in the present moment. I recognize that there are also organic reasons why some individuals experience depression and anxiety, so there are definitely more complex reasons why.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well said, Tamara. Definitely more complex reasons why. I love your point that when you did the healing work on the trauma you’ve experienced that it helped you return to the present moment. Brilliant and inspiring!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks! I’m trying to share with folks that getting there from where they are may not be a straight line, but it is doable!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. What if I’m anxious about the past, depressed about the present, and at peace with the future? What then, Lao Tzu??

    (I’m none of those things, but the question begged to be asked.)

    Liked by 2 people

  6. That’s what Living in the Gap was supposed to be all about. But it ends up both the past and the future inform the present. Balance might be a better way to maneuver in this world! I’m going to go check out your findings about getting out of the rut! Hugs, C

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Balance — now that’s great wisdom, Cheryl! I really love how you put it – the past and the future inform the present. We certainly can’t live without them.

      Hoped you liked a bit of John O’Donohue in the W&S piece! 🙂 Hope you have a lovely day, my friend!

      Like

  7. “Why have we forgotten that we can ride the wind?” This is indeed a beautiful question to be asking ourselves, Wynne.

    I love how open you are to the possibilities of the world. I think it’s a great skill that’ll get you and the kids through the down times.

    I also like that you acknowledge the psychological weight that we carry on our shoulders. These are often the harder ones that weigh us down.

    With Spring around the corner, I hope things will get back to the regular groove for you. 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, Spring is a great lifter of spirits, isn’t it, Ab? And I love your phrase “open to the possibilities of the world.” May we all learn how to be that and remember that we are!

      Hope you are have a great week!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Great posts (both), Wynne. I resolved to do some of my own major rut-busting for 2023, particularly in all areas related to my personal health. (I’m making headway. Yay!) Human beings are really prone to becoming rutted. After all (as you point out) our ruts help us to cope and function in life. But, they also trap us! I really liked your list of questions in your linked Wise and Shine post.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Such a good point about ruts being both coping and trapping. Right! Thanks for the lovely comment and I’m glad to know that I’m in good rut-busting company, Susan!

      Like

  10. Great post! I really appreciate your thoughts on the Lao Tzu quote and how it relates to our current understanding of anxiety and depression. It’s interesting to think about the role that time-focus plays in our mental health. My question for you is, what are some practical steps for breaking out of the rut of single-minded determination towards the future?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ah, that’s such a good question. If anyone had an answer to that, could we solve a lot of problems? For me, it’s focusing on asking questions instead of knowing answers – I have some open-ended questions that work for me in the post that this one links to.

      What about you? What do you think?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I ask a lot of questions. I have recognised that the bulk of information we are fed in all media is biased. Everyone has their particular bias, it can’t be avoided. It’s unfortunate that some people tell the truth as they believe it while others always default to a lie. We are almost never given unvarnished facts. There is always a slant towards whatever they want you to believe. Filtering the chaff from the kernels is our greatest challenge.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Well said about the challenge to filter the wheat from the chaff. Added to how the information is presented is how we have a bent in how we hear it as well. My goal is to have as open-hearted approach as much as possible! Thanks for the lively discussion!

        Like

  11. I don’t think there is a real magic answer to sorting out where our “feelings” should be – and whether they will ever “balance” – or should be just go with the “flow” – if that “flow” is always quiet and gentle, peaceful but rather like the alarm or squealing brakes causes the “flow” to pull up sharp.
    I shall now look at your link…

    Like

Comments are closed.