Philosophy

Back to the future?

If the mind were a theatre of the future, I’d have front row tickets. Heck, as a seasoned visitor, they’d give me the VIP box.

Forget the past, it’s the future I’m finding myself wrapped in…from the virtually decorated nursery to my baby’s first steps. I am not saying we should not feel free to dream about what lies ahead. But when it starts consume the majority of this moment, it can become a bit of a headache!

My beachball belly is now a daily reminder that I’m over 22 weeks pregnant, and that clock is ticking fast. The tick is so loud some days, I can almost feel the whoosh of the future rushing up on me before I know what has hit me. And if I could step inside the yoga confessional box, I would tell you I have been a good student, practicing like clock-work…but that only would be half the truth! I confess to being on my mat regularly in my physical body, while my mind is off doing a merry dance through a million and one future, imaginary scenarios.

You might remember from my last blog that we were in the process of selling our house. Well, crunch time came and we got a good offer, but suddenly the hubby and I realised that selling a house, buying a new one and setting ourselves up in a new place – in the space of about 6 weeks and all while I get more pregnant by the day – was a trojan task. Not to mention the huge financial burden that might be better spent on baby paraphernalia like pushchairs, nursery items and a plethora of tiny clothes! So we took it off the market and resigned ourselves to rethinking after the baby is born. In short, if I’m honest now (and according to the hubby) my pregnancy nesting hormones slightly made me ‘lose the run of myself.’ (That’s Northern Irish speak for ‘go a little crazy’).

So…back to the future…why is that especially big events in our lives make us completely lose track of the moment we are in? Whether it’s our wedding day, our baby’s birth or an illness or injury we are dealing with, we spend more time worrying about what is to come, than living the moment that we are in right now. This week in my practice, I’m trying to bring it home and I have to tell you it is really hard! But that’s what yoga is all about. Forget multitasking. Yoga encourages us to practice pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses or one pointed focus – simply connecting our movement, with the moment to moment flow of our breath. And when that crazy monkey mind is running rampant, even taming it for just a minute a day can be so therapeutic…trust me, I’m working on it! Finally, let me leave you with this little quote that just about sums it up…

“I never think of the yesterdays and I never think of the tomorrows. That leaves me just a small moment, the present moment — unburdened, uncluttered, clean, free.”

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7 Comments

  • Reply Lucy Edlin March 14, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Great news on the house and a very wise decision – as you said in an earlier blog ‘You are enbarking on two of the most stressful things in life, moving home and pregnancy’….

    ‘FEAR’ is what springs to mind!

    As you know, we can all become of balanced and off centre when we face new challenges which are out of our control….stay centred and ride it like a wave and you will sail through….!

    I leave you with a quote…

    ‘Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love’.
    Stevie Wonder

    • Reply Cheryl Parsons March 14, 2012 at 5:10 pm

      Thanks for reading Lucy, and you are totally right!! I feel so much better and more settled in our little home now as it is, everything in its place, everything in working order! And nicely put by good old Stevie Wonder! :0) xxx

  • Reply Lisa scullion March 14, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    Hey Chezza

    Lovely peace of writing. I have just read it here in good old Belfast City Cancer Hospital whilst enduring 12hrs of chemotherapy. Marco and I have been in deep conversation for about three hours discussing past experiences and reasons for this horrible experience I am going through. We have also been discussing the future and what lies instore for us health and family-wise. Your article is key to what I am experiencing….FEAR! And I agree that I should probably focus on today and getting through the chemo rather than worrying about the past and the future….although, it is easier said than done!!!!

    I look forward to your next blog
    Miss you Chezza xxx

    • Reply Cheryl Parsons March 15, 2012 at 12:51 pm

      Hi Lisa,
      Thanks so much for reading! I have been thinking about you a lot and getting the updates from your partner in crime! I can’t imagine how difficult all this is for you, I am so glad you have the support of Marco and your family. I know there are great things that lie ahead for you!! And yes, definitely easier said than done not worrying about the past and future! Sending you much love and good vibes xxxxxxxx

  • Reply Eva B March 14, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    Cheryl,

    You are so right, I can soooo empathize with your situation although I’m not pregnant or moving house. Still, I’m at a stage in my life when my mind is constantly (and I mean non-stop) wondering off to the future and it’s incredibly difficult to stay in the here-and-now.

    In the world of psychology/counseling there is an fairly new therapy called Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy rooted in Buddhism and it is gaining international recognition. I just hope that one day I can talk the talk and walk the walk teaching clients to live in the moment 😉

    • Reply Cheryl Parsons March 15, 2012 at 12:54 pm

      Hi Eva, Thanks so much for your comments!! Yes, it is so hard! My mind is like a yo-yo at the moment! Sounds really interesting everything that you are researching, would love to hear more. Me too, I’m trying to practice what I preach in my yoga classes! :0) See you very soon xxxx

  • Reply Fast forward | The Peace Lily May 13, 2014 at 9:27 am

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