If you’ve ever been around a toddler you probably remember the “but why” question. Toddlers are very curious and want to know what is going on and why almost always! As we get older, our questions might be less technical but more about judgments of self and others. Why did she say that? Why did he do that? Why did they look at me like that? I wonder what they thought of me. All these questions cause worry and anxiety. Do all the why’s really matter? Why do we want to know? Are we trying to justify our decisions, our-selves, our choices, our lives? Are we human doings or human beings. Where did the being go?

I was recently pondering a question and said to a mentor of mine, why can’t I just figure it out NOW! She jokingly said, “patience young grasshopper. What about divine timing? Is your plan or timing better than that? Why do you think you need to know all the answers NOW?” Her comments were a very good reminder to me. No, I don’t need to know all the answers now. I do however need to live my life in the now. When I’m stressing over the past, the future, my expectations or all the why’s, these thoughts are only getting in the way of enjoying each moment.

Time magazine in their August/September 2017 edition talks about The Science of Happiness, New Discoveries for a More Joyful Life. In her article Secrets of a Happier Life, Emma Seppala reports, according to a study of 5,000 people by physiologist Matthew Killingsworth and Daniel Gilbert of Harvard University, adults spend only about 50% of their time in the present moment. They found that when we are in the present moment, we are also at our happiest, no matter what we are doing. Find the activity that allows you to settle your mind, emotions and desires so that you become grounded in the present. When you feel pleasure, close your eyes and be 100% present with that pleasure. Savor the sensation or experience. Learning to bask in your pleasurable experiences helps to extend the feeling. What are some of your favorite experiences to bask in?

Enjoy this Patience patience-young-grasshopper-worksheet and video.