Living in the Present or Planning for the Future?

On my walk today I started thinking about some of my first posts back in the Spring. The lilacs were in full bloom and the air was crisp. I was truly happy and living in the moment - and telling ya'll all about how you should to.

Then Summer hit and I was taking in the smell of honeysuckles and fresh cut grass and living in the moment - and telling ya'll all about how you should to.

Today there were no lilacs in bloom or honeysuckle scented winds. But there was the beauty of the sun coming up early over the creek and the warmth of a morning that will soon turn into a 100 degree day. So I did what I do almost every moment of every day - I reflected.

I reflected on how many times I (or the news, a magazine or a friend) has mentioned how living in the moment is so important. How we must be grateful for this day because we aren't necessarily promised a tomorrow.

Then I remembered all the times I have helped clients plan for their future. Telling them to cast a vision today so that we will be set up for the future. About how planning helps us get to where we want to go and without it who knows where we will end up.

Wait a minute - does this make sense. Can we truly live in the moment while planning for the future? And if so, how do we do that? Do we devote 1 hour a day living in the present while devoting 23 hours focusing on the future? Do we split our time between the two? Isn't this called multi-tasking, and if so, isn't it discouraged in the world of productivity. Is "father time" in a tug of war contest with "father right now" for our devotion?

Maybe this is some sort of defense mechanism. Maybe we are future focused when the things right in front of us aren't so pleasant (like an unhappy marriage or recently diagnosed illness). Maybe we live in the moment when the future is kind of icky (like realizing that one day our parents will die, or that our children will leave the nest). Maybe having both situations helps keep the balance between not caring about anything at all and caring too much about everything.

I don't know - what do you think?

PS - hey - looking to increase my following. Would my current followers be willing to post this on their Facebook page or other social networking outlet with a kind request for your network to follow my blog? Sure would be appreciated. Thanks.