Welp, this post is definitely a stormy one. I accidentally overrode the entire blogpost that I spent all day on. And there are no notes anywhere else. It was written directly onto this page. Looks like it's back to the drawing board for me!
... I am incredibly thankful to say that I found the original text in the book version of Growth & Grace that will come out at the end of the season. Wooohooooo! Hallelujah!
What Animals Teach Us About Living in the Now, Even During Stormy Times
Life can get pretty wild at times. We've all been there—replaying yesterday's awkward conversation, caught in a whirlwind of worries about tomorrow's deadline, or just generally feeling the pressure build. When things get tense or challenging, our human brains often go into overdrive, spinning narratives about what-ifs and coulda-woulda-shouldas. When it comes to staying in the now, we can learn a lot from our animal companions.
A Bird in a Storm
Think of a bird hunkering down during a sudden, strong gust of wind or heavy rain. They're not panicking about the long-term forecast or looking back wistfully in nostalgia for the beautiful sunny morning they just had. Their entire focus is on the immediate challenge: holding on, finding shelter, surviving the moment. Once the squall passes, they're back to chirping, foraging, and living their birdy lives, adapting to the new reality without holding onto the stress of the recent past.
A Dog's Visit ... to the Vet
Picture your normally boisterous pup at the vet. They've just had a shot, and now they're waiting for what happens next. Are they dwelling on the needle? Are they fretting about subsequent vet appointments? Nope! They're probably sniffing around with intense curiosity, maybe trying to make friends with the cat in the carrier next to them, or eagerly accepting a treat from the vet tech.
For a moment, they might be uncomfortable, but as soon as the immediate challenge is over, their focus shifts back to the present. I am going to repeat that for myself: as soon as the immediate challenge is over, their focus shifts back to the present. They don't carry the anxiety of the shot with them for hours or days. They process it, and then they're back to being fully present in their environment, ready for whatever comes next, without dwelling on the past discomfort.
A Cat and a Noise
A loud bang outside, a dropped pan in the kitchen. Sudden, jarring sounds can send a cat scattering. They might hide under the couch, their eyes wide with temporary alarm. But how long do they stay there, paralyzed by fear? Usually not long! After a few moments, they'll peek out, test the waters, and if the threat isn't immediate, they're once again napping or grooming.
In essence, they acknowledge the challenging moment, react to it, and then reset. They don't linger in a state of hyper-vigilance once the tense situation passes. This ability to acknowledge a difficult experience and then quickly re-engage with the present moment is a powerful lesson for us all. Animals show us that when things are stressful, the most vital skill isn't to ignore the difficulty, but to engage with the immediate present. They remind us that while we can learn from yesterday and plan for tomorrow, true resilience and peace often come from fully inhabiting the 'right now.'
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Today's action prompt: The next time you feel a wave of tension or worry about something that's not happening right this second, pause. Take three slow breaths, and then consciously bring your attention to one thing you can see, hear, or feel in your immediate surroundings. What's happening in this moment? How does it make you feel?