This moment, this very NOW

In the process of the "Year to Live" class at Common Ground, it was suggested that a daily journal entry would be helpful.  For years, in the past, I had done so and somehow the practice got away from me.  When I re-started that spiritual practice, I picked up a daily meditation book that had been my morning companion for years ("Journey to the Heart" by Melody Beattie, copyright 1996, published by Harper Collins).  I am prohibited from quoting directly from her writing and so I will paraphrase this morning's message:  It is tempting sometimes to think we have to be in a special place at a special time in a special kind of apparel having followed a special diet, etc., etc., etc.  As it turns out, the most sacred, most spiritual, most holy moment, place, space, is the one we are occupying at this very moment!  I was quite taken aback by that idea this morning as the past few days have found me feeling much more sadness than joy; much more anxiety than serenity.  Can those "negative" feelings be holy?  Can't I just ignore them and go on to the much more "positive" feelings?
"Well, no, of course not!" I hear myself saying.  If God, the Holy, the Sacred, the Great Spirit, is Love, then surely I can bring all of myself to that Center and find acceptance and comfort regardless of how I am feeling.

"And every moment is a spiritual experience - every moment informs us - informs our lives and answers the questions:  Where am I this moment?  Who am I this moment?  Why am I this moment?  How am I this moment?  I listen to the wee small voice within - my inner sense of what, who, where and why.  Precious gift!  Grace-filled gift!  Power-filled gift!"  (The words I wrote earlier this AM.)
Dear readers, may we all say, with one heart and one intention -
Thanks for it all! ! !