I recently re-read a portion of Pema Chodron's book Comfortable with Uncertainty. While Chodron addresses many topics surrounding meditation and Buddhist practices, the chapter in Comfortable with Uncertainty I keep going back to is titled "Slogan: 'Abandon any hope of fruition.'" At first, it sounds a little dark, but Chodron explains that this slogan means that as long as you are hoping for things to change, they never will. People often orient themselves toward the future, thinking "Once I (fill in the blank), things will be better" or "As soon as I (fill in the blank), then I will be happy."
For many people, the thought goes something like this: "Once I lose weight, then I will be happy and satisfied." Is it good to strive for improvement? Absolutely. But staking your happiness and satisfaction on something that may never happen sounds pretty risky to me. What are you supposed to do in the mean time? Be sad and dissatisfied with yourself?
This orientation toward some future event is wasted energy. If we decide to enjoy where we are and how we are with all of the quirks, this allows us to live in the present rather than wasting the present on a future that may never come. I challenge you to enjoy every moment of every day, no matter how good or bad the moments may be.
