Here and Now

A new beginning! We must learn to live each day, each hour, yes, each minute as a new beginning, as a unique opportunity to make everything new. Imagine that we could live each moment pregnant with new life. Imagine that we could walk through each day as a day full of promises. Imagine that we could walk through a new year always listening to a voice saying to us: "I have a gift for you, and can't wait for you to see it!" Imagine. -- Henri Nouwen

Henri Nouwen was one of the greatest spiritual inspiration writers of the 20th century. His writings are easy to read but are deeply embedded in theology, psychology, and his life experiences as a Catholic priest. His book, Here and Now is subtitled - Living in the Spirit. Talking about "pregnant" with meaning! Of course a popular self-help book would be subtitled "Living in the Present."

The passage above is from the very first paragraph in the book. I find it quite interesting that he opens a book about living in the present with "imagine." Yet, the pathway to living in the present moment is realized by imagining what it would be like to enjoy each day for its precious gifts.