{"id":842,"date":"2020-09-16T16:14:14","date_gmt":"2020-09-16T16:14:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/?p=842"},"modified":"2020-09-16T16:31:42","modified_gmt":"2020-09-16T16:31:42","slug":"when-the-past-and-present-look-bad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/?p=842","title":{"rendered":"When the Past and Future Look Bad"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My main mantra throughout my life goes as follows: \u201cMake the most of each moment.\u201d At a very early age I realized how quickly time went by and that as it goes by, it does not return ever again. So each moment happens only once. So I should try to make the most of each moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7232-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-845\" width=\"448\" height=\"336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7232-1.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7232-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7232-1-350x263.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 448px) 100vw, 448px\" \/><figcaption>When faced with an uncertain future and troublesome past, we need more than ever to make the most of each moment.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This has mantra has served me well in that I have been engaged with my life in the present moments trying to do worthwhile things rather than wasteful things. This mantra has also helped me get through times when both the future and past look bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The near past can be full of conflict, sorrow, and loss while at the same time our future can look bleak and nearly hopeless. \u201cNearly\u201d is the operative word because no one knows the future although we help create it in the present. Without hope, there is no future. So this leads me back to the present and making the most of each moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7185.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-846\" width=\"447\" height=\"335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7185.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7185-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7185-350x263.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 447px) 100vw, 447px\" \/><figcaption>Hope sustains us.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If we find ourselves in a position where our future is uncertain and bleak, likely a continuation of the near past that also was filled with loss and sorrow, we still have the present and precious moments to make the most of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The present is a present and springs into being all on its own filled with possibility and beauty. Ever-changing, the present is rooted in the rhythm of the earth. Earth\u2019s changes are what sustains life after all.\u00a0 Nature is balanced, but it is never static.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7074.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-849\" width=\"551\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7074.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7074-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7074-350x263.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 551px) 100vw, 551px\" \/><figcaption>A rare white Mallad Duck on Lake Okanagan. Nature provides us with all we need. We should thank nature for this!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My advice when squeezed between the uncertain future and the certainly loathsome past is to connect with (or reconnect with) nature and the life force that animates and sustains us. All life pulses with the seed of germination and growth. Life thrives even in the dark\u2014and darkness is needed for life, regardless. Plant something or metaphorically plant your desire and will. While it may be something that will lay in the dark underground in the present, it represents making something out of nothing and thus creating meaning and purpose in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7095.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-848\" width=\"525\" height=\"394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7095.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7095-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7095-350x263.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><figcaption>Black tailed deer: Do not let an uncertain future stop you from manifesting your will in the present moment!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let the earth restore your hope. Try to align to the truth and beauty within you and that which is there in the moment. Be ready for action, prepare, hope, and make the most of these moments. Do not let that sorrow-filled past and that uncertain and wobblily future ruin your day! Sometimes it is up to us to step forward and create something from nothing, so to speak, and thus connect more closely with the deep cosmic creative force itself. And that is never a bad thing! Remember, the Universe loves us and wants us here for its own divine purpose even if we have these times when we are unsure of what that purpose may be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/il_570xN.553975362_bhq0.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-847\" width=\"339\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/il_570xN.553975362_bhq0.jpg 570w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/il_570xN.553975362_bhq0-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/il_570xN.553975362_bhq0-350x467.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 339px) 100vw, 339px\" \/><figcaption>Unknown source and beautiful Tarot Card art.  The present is a present. We can and should participate in the creative force of nature creating something out of nothing, so to speak.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7155.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-852\" width=\"499\" height=\"374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7155.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7155-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7155-350x263.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px\" \/><figcaption>Note: All photos not credited otherwise in my blogs are by Marv Machura like this hawk holding on to its fish!  Please seek permission to use photos and other content on this site. Thanks!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My main mantra throughout my life goes as follows: \u201cMake the most of each moment.\u201d At a very early age I realized how quickly time went by and that as it goes by, it does not return ever again. So each moment happens only once. So I should try to make the most of each &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/?p=842\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;When the Past and Future Look Bad&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-842","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/842","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=842"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/842\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":854,"href":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/842\/revisions\/854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=842"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=842"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marvmachura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=842"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}