LIVE IN THE PRESENT!!!

So I'm out visiting my parents and little sis in Indiana right now. I always like changing up the scene every once in a while and this trip is definitely a change in scenery. It hasn't reached over 35 degrees since I've been out here and yesterday we got a nice drop of snow. I haven't seen this much snow since the recruiting trip I took out to Southern Utah University back in '01.

During my stay here, I found a book in my Dad's office titled "Do You!" It's a book written by Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons. I'm about half-way through and I wanted to share something that I've taken and applied immediately in my own life. Especially since I'm only going to be visiting my family for another couple of days. I thought it would be helpful to all of you so now I'm sharing it! It's about living in the present. Check out this little excerpt taken from the book.

[ The most powerful step in realizing your potential is simply to be present in the world. That might seem so obvious that it barely bears repeating, but operating outside of the present is actually what separates all of us from the happiness we desire. We talk about living for the here and now, but in reality we're much more comfortable avoiding it. Too often, we spend our lives drifting between the past and the future, instead of rooting ourself in the moment. And living like that, you become your worst enemy. You wait for things to happen instead of making them happen. You imagine what happiness is like instead of appreciating the happiness that is already present in your life. You dream about making money, or about the money you've lost, instead of appreciating that you're rich this very second! You must embrace the present. Never, ever forget that. You can't make money in the future and you can't make money in the past. The present is the only place you're going to get paid. Just as the present is also the only place you'll ever be truly hapy, or ever be able to experience true love.

The world is so loud that we almost forget that we're capable of being present. We forget that we can experience seconds when we feel truly alive. That's why it's so important to remember to remember that we are capable of being present. Like when we see a beautiful woman, or a beautiful sunset, or even a beautiful piece of art, and just say, "Wow." Those are moments of pure presence. Moments when you stop thinking about everything else that's happening in the world and totally focus on being present. You don't hear the traffic, or see the other people on the street. You forget where you are, or where you were heading, and become transfixed by how powerful the orange sun looks as it begins to drift behind the clouds. Those are moments of presence. ]

Want more? Pick up Russell's book! I HIGHLY recommend it! For now, here's some pics I snapped out here on the Indiana country-side.