Living in the now

We are alive. There is no doubt about that. 

But are you conscious? Are you awake? Or does the world go by in a blur, without you noticing all its beauty and splendor? Are you only awake sometimes, only aware of the surrounding world once in a while?

To be truly conscious, or mindful as some call it nowadays, you must be in the NOW. It’s hard, as we humans tend to jump from thoughts about the past, to the past, and then reflect all our hopes, expectations and fears onto the future. We are busier with mentally analyzing the past and creating all sorts of possible outcomes for the future then that we are living in the present.

What I love about the word present is that it has a double meaning;

• Present, the period of time now occurring.
• Present, a gift.

The present, this right moment, is a gift. You have nothing else but this right moment. You might think, well, I have a car, a house, a family, money etc. But actually, all that wouldn't be able to exist without the present moment!

Isn't that just beautiful? I find it a beautiful idea. And it’s a powerful idea. Because once you realize that NOW is all there is, you will be filled with awe and marvel, and feel a lot more grateful and awake.

Why not try it? Feel conscious about the fact that all there is is the present moment, and that you should accept it as a gift. Expand your being, until you feel so calm, so deeply in harmony, that it becomes like a meditative state of mind. It’s a little hard at the beginning, but once you get the trick, its fun. And better even, it’s healthy. People who live in the present moment are in general happier!! Now, who doesn’t want that!? http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_killingsworth_want_to_be_happier_stay_in_the_moment.html

But, besides being in the present, there are more fun things to do! Why not try observing our surroundings? Go outside, and observe something that is insignificant for you. Something you walk past often, and never have taken the time for to see nor observe it. It could be a stone, a little feather or even just drops of water. Observe it. Describe what it looks like, where it might have come from, and just look. Does it still seem insignificant to you?

We are surrounded by beauty. Not once or twice a day. Every single moment is beautiful, alive, and joyful. If you feel down, maybe it’s because you’re letting the present slip away while your mind is too busy with the past and future.

Besides, not all people value beauty in the simple things surrounding us. In this period of human history, in which we are bombed with endless pictures and movies of the most beautiful places on earth, we forget to be humble. We forget that beauty is in life itself. We make ourselves believe that the only beauty that surrounds us is found in dazzling sunsets, perfect white beaches and picturesque landscapes.  

Beauty is found in life itself. And so is joy. Beauty and joy is found in Nature. Live in the moment, and don’t waste your years wondering in the past or worrying about the future. 

I have added a few nice quotes to this text , plus a couple of photo's, to show the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. 

Namaste

golden cage or be free? / jaula de oro o ser Libre?

At some point in my life I will have to choose between living in a golden cage (life with money, steady job, car, home, family, in short; what most people want) or be FREE and see the entire world as my home.

Life in the "golden cage" will never be my desire. Too normal, too boring, too suffocating. It is the life that almost everyone has, and I find horrible. I do not know how anyone can be happy that way, but hey, everyone has his/her own preferences...

I want to be free. In fact, I don’t consider myself Dutch, Spanish or whatever. I am a person of the world and the world is my home.

I want to be free as a bird. I have to keep in mind that birds have many enemies and in winter they almost die of hunger. But the birds do reach the highest peaks in the world and see the most amazing places. Yes, that is metaphorically speaking, since I am not a bird. But I'd rather be free, go through periods of having little money, having to work like crazy to survive, because then I can see the world. That way I will truly live life, learning from the great book of the world.

Only sometimes I fear that this society is killing my adventurous spirit. It is tying me to too many money-related obligations. It is forcing me to live in a golden cage because it is considered "normal."

My biggest fear is that one day I will wake up and see that I live in an ordinary life. I know I'll never be happy that way.

I want to be free.

En algún momento de mi vida tendré que elegir entre una vida en una jaula de oro (vida con dinero, trabajo fijo, coche, casa, familia, en resumen; lo que la mayor parte de la gente desea) o ser LIBRE y ver el mundo como mi casa

La vida en ese “jaula de oro” nunca será lo mío. Demasiado normal, demasiado aburrido, demasiado sofocante. Es la vida que casi todos tienen, y a mí me parece horrible. No sé cómo alguien puede ser feliz de esa manera, pero bueno, cada uno con lo suyo..

Yo quiero ser libre. De hecho, no me considero holandesa, española o lo que sea. Soy una persona del mundo, y el mundo entero es mi hogar.

Quiero ser libre como un pájaro. Tengo que tener en cuenta que los pájaros tienen muchos enemigos y en invierno casi se mueren por hambre. Pero los pájaros si que llegan a las cimas más altas del mundo, a lugares increíbles. Claro, eso es hablando metafóricamente, ya que no soy un pájaro. Pero prefiero ser libre, pasar por épocas de tener poco dinero, de tener que trabajar como una loca para sobrevivir, porque así podre ver el mundo. Así llegare a vivir la vida de verdad, a aprender del gran libro del mundo, a ver lugares increíbles

Solo que a veces temo que esta sociedad está matando mi espíritu aventurero. Me está atando a demasiados obligaciones relacionadas con el dinero. Me está obligando a vivir en una jaula de oro porque es considerado “normal”. 

Mi mayor miedo es que algún día me despierto y veo que vivo en una vida normal y corriente. Sé que nunca seré feliz de esa manera.

Quiero ser libre.

You're free / Eres libre =)

You're free.
Free to be your authentic self.
Free to love.
Free to forgive.
Free to begin your life's journey.
You may feel hopeless and defeated, imprisoned by the obstacles in your path, but your prison's walls are not impenetrable.
The only limitations on you are those you've placed on yourself.
Your potential is limitless.
The challenges you face and the pain you feel doesn't exist to imprison you; it exists to provide growth and healing.
To move you forward.
When we struggle, our soul speaks.
Whether it screams, "I'm angry" or "I feel taken advantage of".
Whether it whispers, "I'm lonely" or "I'm scared",
Your soul is trying to send you a message.
Listen.
Allow your chains to be broken.
Embrace the song of your soul.
Hold onto the lessons of your struggles.
Let in the light.
You are free.
Now and forever.

Eres libre.
Libre para ser tu auténtico YO.
Libre para amar.
Libre para perdonar.
Libre para comenzar el viaje por la vida.
Puedes sentirte desesperado y derrotado a veces, encarcelado por los obstáculos en tu camino, pero las paredes de tu prisión no son impenetrables.
Las únicas limitaciones que hay son las que has puesto en ti mismo.
Tu potencial es ilimitado.
Los desafíos que enfrentas y el dolor que sientes no existen para encarcelarte, existen para proporcionar el crecimiento y la curación en ti.
Para moverte adelante.
Cuando luchamos, nuestra alma habla.
Ya sea que grita, "Estoy enojado" o "me siento aprovechado".
Ya sea que susurra: "Me siento solo" o "Tengo miedo",
Tu alma está tratando de enviarte un mensaje.
Escucha.
Permita que tus cadenas se rompan.
Disfrute de la canción de tu alma.
Aférrate a las lecciones de tus luchas.
Dejar entrar la luz.
Eres libre.
Ahora y siempre.