The Longing

I love the experience of looking forward to something.

It can be anything. Today, I’m looking forward to seeing the ocean. While I’ve seen the ocean before at Ocean City, Maryland, I long to see it again. To feel the sand and water beneath my feet while walking along the beach. To hear the waves as the water moves in and out. To feel a gentle breeze tickling my skin.

When we look forward to something, are we avoiding living in the present moment? I don’t think so. It’s in the present moment that we experience feelings of longing.

By the time I’m actually walking along a beach, I will no longer be experiencing the Longing. I’ll be thinking other thoughts. Or I’ll be quieting my thoughts in walking meditation.

Imagining the future doesn’t take anything away from the fact that I’m sitting in a chair with my computer on my lap. I can be grateful for sitting in a quiet room while also thinking about the ocean.

Imagining the future is a great way to get clear about your goals, to identify the specifics of what you really want. There’s nothing wrong with getting lost in the dream of future hopes.

As long as you remember that the future tends to be surprising. Your “great expectations” may not match your future reality.

And that’s another thing to be grateful for!

In the meantime, open your heart and mind to what may be possible. Enjoy the Longing!