One of the main enemies of the life that can flow to us through our presence in this day, is rumination about past regrets, sins, failures, mistakes, missed opportunities, disillusionment, disappointment, and experiences of injustice. I often find myself going back over the past in a kind of obsessive way as if by turning events over and over in my mind I can somehow rehabilitate or repatriate the messy, embarrassing and troublesome aspects of former situations, circumstances, and choices. Sometimes this phenomenon becomes overwhelming and this leads me to one of the most simple and beautiful prayers of the Christian tradition: “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy”. I don’t think I’m asking only for forgiveness but also for something a little more miraculous and creative. That in letting go of the past and my attempts to iron out the creases in events and choices over which I no longer have any control, I am trusting in the God who weaves my chequered history into a patchwork quilt, a blanket of security, wisdom, humility, and protection.

The other obvious enemy of life in the present day is anxiety about the future. Psychologically, we seem to be predisposed in the busy brain to projecting any variety of worst-case scenarios. This part of our brain is trying to protect us or cushion us in some way for potential catastrophic circumstances. Emotionally, however, this leaves us almost perpetually in a state of dis-ease or even trauma. The fruitful mind attunes itself to the voice of calm assurance which invites us to focus simply on what is actually happening and required of us today, to remain curious and optimistic about what will happen tomorrow, and to ultimately trust that whatever unfolds (usually something quite different to what we have speculated could happen) Love will work creatively on our behalf in and through all things. There is an exquisite vulnerability in ceasing to use anxious speculation as a potential emotional cushion and standing naked in our posture towards what is coming with simple trust in the idea that we are neither alone nor orphans in this universe.

So coming back into this day, out of past regrets, and away from fruitless future speculation, is the sure pathway to frutiful living and the experience of companionship with the divine. We ask God for the grace to receive this gift. We work with the Spirit to cultivate this capacity. We welcome each day as it is and as it comes to us. Not holding out unhelpful and unrealistic expectations. Each given day is a bit like us, it will come as it is, revealing its graces and its troubles and tensions. Jesus was quite realistic in telling his listeners, ‘each day has enough trouble of its own’. We can cope with the trouble of any given day if we do not spend today’s psychological and physiological energy on days that have already gone past us or are yet to arrive. We can cope with moments of boredom, tension, stress, conflict, as well as appreciate received small kindnesses, the gifts of nature, art and friendship. We are enough for each day. Each day can be enough for us.

This is the day (we will rejoice and be glad in it).