The Presents of Presence

By Clayton

---

I spent my Saturday helping staff a very busy inpatient psychiatry unit. One patient remarked to me “it is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves.” He was using Shakespeare to support his claim that he was at fault for his current life predicament.

–

This time of year is so full of anticipation and reflection. Looking ahead – what might be better, changed, improved, forgotten. And looking back – acknowledging the scars, the growth, the new love and withered dreams.

My intention is to avoid preoccupation with these reveries. Can we live in between? Can we live a life that does not hinge on the accomplishments of tomorrow, and is not swallowed by the pain of yesterday? Can we instead live presently, embracing the complexity of everyday experience?

–

What the gentleman does not see is the agency inherent in the words he uses. Each moment can be a rebirth of sorts. A beginning. A fresh destiny. An opportunity to open ourselves and start down a new path. What holds us captive? Why?

---

**Hillary came up with the awesome title for this post =]

This is us at the park celebrating our one year last week.