The Present

I once came across a quote that read "The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present."  

The words made perfect sense...and yet here I am who worries everyday about what the future will hold.  Will I be able to control it or carve it to my needs and desires?  Will I like what it has in store for me? How will I react to the misfortunes that come my way? The questions seem endless...and in pursuit of the answers I rarely enjoy the passing moment, the present.  Perhaps it is for this reason that we carry gifts or 'presents' for people on their birthdays.  It's a symbolic notion to show them that more often than not what's inside the box (our future life), yet to be unveiled, is a beautiful surprise.  The excitement with which we open our presents should reflect the anticipation and excitement in our lives to greet the future.  At times the 'box' holds things that we either do not like or did not want but eventually we get around to using the items somewhere, somehow...we should learn to do the same in life.  When we come across the not-so-desirable events in life we need to make the best out of it.  We need to find a purposeful use for it and then move on.  


I salute the people who always have a smile on their faces and a song in their hearts and know how to live in the present moment...for there is no comparison to enjoying a gift that is in hand versus one that we may never get to open and look inside.  


Saying cheers to a birthday with an edible 'present' was a mellow lemon cake with lemon custard, strawberries and  butter-cream frosting.