“Forever is composed of nows.” Emily Dickinson
This quickie quote deserves a bit of contemplation. Thinking about it, sometimes our dreams (hopes, wishes) seem like they will take forever. At times it seems like real change (the kind our world needs lots of right now) will take forever.
We may get stymied and think, “Why bother?” Forever seems like a long time to wait and work toward something bigger than us, especially when life’s gnarly branches bleak us down.
But, if we consider that the forever future is made up of nows – this present moment, the next one, and the next – it might help us do the next thing, and the next thing after that.
“Forever is composed of nows.” Emily Dickinson’s thought truly is a challenge, to engender hope to face the forever challenges in our lives (and world) one now at a time, one step at a time, one small change at a time.
grace, peace & nows of hope
Virginia : )
photos: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Roses in the Rubble 
Keeping this quote in mind when next I tackle a long term goal that seems to be taking forverrrr. Beautiful pictures as always. Thank you for sharing this timely reminder that forever starts with now.
Hey Miss Sunshine – several of my projects (dreams, hopes, endeavors) seem to be taking FOREVERRRRR, too! All we can do is the next thing (the next) and the next thing after that in the now of this hour (day, week, whatever.) I ran cross country in high school – it’s hard when you feel like you’re going to drop 2/3rds into the race. So easy to quit! Joshua 1:9 = mantra! Hugs! 🙂
I kinda like the idea of embracing forever one now at a time. You’ve probably heard the quote: “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” In my opinion, when changes do happen to me anyways, I need time to embrace them. Too many coming at me all at once might be for my highest and best, but I imagine I would really have to scramble or maybe be scrambled a bit. When I first started reading your post I thought of the elderly people I spend time with. Those in their 80’s, 90’s, and 100’s have seen massive changes. Think of the decades they’ve lived and experienced change, even the hope of change. Here’s something else I noticed when with them, how peaceful they seem, content with what was, and pretty content with what is now. They are no longer scrambling for one thing, and although they have health issues, and many loss of memory, what they still have would amaze you. It’s called: Patience!
Amen, Sparkyjen! Sometimes I feel like I’m getting scrambled, when I should be scrambling doing the next thing in the now of this hour (day, week etc.) Working overseas in a few seemingly impossible conflict contexts (where things changed into peace one week, then got knocked back to all out violent conflict the next) we all did our part putting drops of help in the bucket of hope – one drop at a time may not seem like much, but with the combined drops of many people doing their bit, the bucket may finally overflow into real and lasting change.
It is impressive to think how our elders experienced so much – and persevered through so much! Thank you for the reminder, we have so much we can learn from them. Blessings & big hugs, Sparkyjen! 🙂
‘One drop of hope at a time’ certainly seems like a lot to me. Best yet is the bucket to put it in, to be poured or dipped whichever, where, when, and how it’s needed. I’ll throw this in from the Sandra Bullock movie…”Hope Floats!” I suspect elders in that region are still persevering and mentoring too because of what they’ve seen and lived thru. They know real change when they feel it, disguised sometimes though it may be.☺️
Sparkyjen, I saw “Hope Floats” years ago – now must give it another watch. Change can be long & hard in coming, but something to keep working toward. Thank you for the reminder. Blessings!! 💦💜💦
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Love the photos and the thoughts about living in the now 🙂
Living in the now can be a challenge when tough stuff abounds. Taking it one step at a time is (highly) recommended. Bubble baths help!! 🌟🛁🌟
They sure do!!! I totally agree – one step at a time. Thank-you for reading and commenting! 🙂