The Daily Stoic
I read the “Daily Stoic” every day; it’s one of my favorite reads because of the invaluable lessons I constantly learn. One of my favorite readings from this book is called “The Best Retreat Is In Here, Not Out There.”
People seek retreats for themselves in the country, by the seas, or in the mountains. You are very much in the habit of yearning for those same things. But this is entirely the trait of a base person, when you can, at any moment, find such a retreat in yourself. For nowhere can you find a more peaceful and less busy retreat than in your own soul — especially if on close inspection it is filled with ease, which I say is nothing more than being well-ordered. Treat yourself often to this retreat and be renewed.
— Marcus Eurelius
You’re Not, HERE
How often have you found yourself wishing you were somewhere else, planning trips because you can’t stand where you are, thinking about escaping from your daily life, desiring to go off somewhere with pulchritudinous views, or anticipating positive change after reaching a specific milestone?
How often have you found yourself thinking:
“After I complete this goal, I will be happier.”
“When I find my soulmate, I will be able to enjoy life.”
“When I earn x amount of money, I will experience more freedom.”
“When my kids move out, I’ll have more time to do what I want.”
“When we move, we’ll find peace.”
“When I restore my health, I’ll have my life back.”
“When I become debt-free, I won’t have any stress.”
And the list goes on and on. What’s your scenario that you’re focused on right now that’s preventing you from staying right here, right now, in the present moment?
Wherever You Go, There You Are
Wherever you go, there you are. — Jon Kabat-Zinn
The quote immediately above is empowering when we practice it, but it’s challenging for many of us to execute. Living in the present moment can be painful, uneasy, anxiety-inducing, and stressful. But living in the future can be the same.
The Present Is Empowering
Do you want to know what’s so good about living in the present moment? If you don’t like something, you can change it. If you can’t accept something, you can take action to help you accept it. If you are struggling to find peace, you can find it within yourself — at this very moment. You can do everything and more in the present, but you can’t do anything in the future because the present is all you have. The future is nowhere to be found.
The future is the accumulation of a whole bunch of present moments.
Be Inner-Directed
Things won’t be better when something happens in the future. Things will be better when you decide to be at peace with your life as it is now. What can you do right now to improve your situation? If you can’t do anything, what can you change within yourself to find and be at peace with your life as it is now? Richard Carlson encourages others to be inner-directed (not influenced by external circumstances, but directed by your internal values and self-discipline); this creates a much easier road for you in life. You determine how you respond to life; no one else. So how will you respond to life today?
In Conclusion
If you need a vacation and can’t get away physically, how can you create a retreat within yourself and your current surroundings? When you cultivate your soul and your life to be a retreat, you will be more intentional about your getaway destinations; you might also need and desire vacations less.
If you aren’t happy, what needs to change internally so you can be happy? If you don’t like your life, what can you do now in the present moment to make your life more enjoyable? Create the change you want to see in your life in yourself first. Create your future in the present moment.
Thank you for taking the time to #elevate your life with this quick read. Grab your free books here — Destiny S. Harris’ Free Amazon Book Page. Wanna keep in touch online? Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, or my Website.