What might be making you feel bad right this minute, or a few minutes ago? It’s either going to one of two things. Are you ready for this? It’s either going to be regrets or it’s going to be worry. Now, regrets include all the things from the past. The loss of a love, the wrong decisions, failed relationships, lost dreams, anger at someone you trusted, anger at someone who betrayed you — Regrets and brooding on the past is one sure-fire way to keep upset… All of that removes you from the present… Fear is in the future. Worry is in the future. Regret is in the past. Things you fear are all in the future. Every fear and every phobia is a defensive position about the future… Get this, my friend, all fears come from the future mind. All worries come from the future mind. All regrets from the past mind. So if you wanted a regret to relax what would you do? You’d be here. You’d just get present. Well, get present now.
Armand DiMele.
Surfers, I would like to use this post to introduce you to a counselor of renown; Armand DiMele, and his radio show The Positive Mind. On April 24, 2008 Armand presented a topic that supports the teachings of Jean-Pierre de Caussade titled Living in the Present Moment. Now, Armand might not know about the teachings of Jean-Pierre de Caussade, but he knows us. He knows the human condition like nobody I have ever encountered before. Armand might use the language of modern psychological thought, but the title for this blog post is a direct quote from Armand, and could have been spoken by Jean-Pierre de Caussade.
So, one thing we know about is that you can’t demand, or command, someone to be in the presence. It has to be willful surrender. Willful; like an exhale. Armand DiMele
Surfers, I have had photography as a hobby since I was a teenager. Within the last six months I upgraded to digital media, and let me tell you it was not an easy decision. I joined the online photo sharing site Flickr and was encouraged to further join a Flickr group that posted a photo a day for an entire year. I thought this would be an opportunity to learn more about my digital equipment, because I was forced to shoot pictures every day. What I discovered is that taking a photo a day is hard, and taking a daily photo worthy of posting on the site is even harder. Okay, that might be true but I also found out that I began to see my world around me differently. I was looking at everything as if through a camera lens. Would that tree make a good picture? One morning, while walking into Bob Evans for breakfast, I saw a Lilly that had been planted as part of the landscape. I stopped to take the picture. Six months ago I might have passed similar flowers and not even noticed, being more concerned about what I would order for breakfast than the beauty around me. As I work to make the present moment a sacrament in my life, I have found that my hobby is helping me. Perhaps you may find other activities in your life that help you, as I have.
And in order that souls should not lose their way, God never fails to provide them with wise directors to show them how much freedom and how much restraint will be best for them.
Jean-Pierre de Caussade.
Dear surfers, Armand DiMele has been a wise director for me for quite some time. I highly recommend you visit his Web site and download his podcasts. Armand has a lot to offer everybody. As we reshape the future of belief in God, it will be people like Armand DiMele who will help us along the way.
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