Everyday, I read and watch the news. I read over emails. I think about what I can do for fun today. I talk to others who focus on the now as well. Here I am, trapped in the now.
To a certain extent, it is okay. To be trapped in the now means that I see what is going on to others.
Bills.
Bills, bills, bills.
Bills piling up.
A need to prioritize payment of bills.
Housing bills first? Kids? Gasoline? Heat? Food? Which bills to pay?
To the greater extent, being trapped in the now is devastating.
Today, people in Maine got their price estimates for winter heating fuel: almost twice as much as last winter. Suddenly, those trapped in the now are pulled forward a few months, and see that the troubles of now are nothing compared to the troubles on the horizon.
Yet still, we are trapped in the now.
This winter is nothing. What about the ten winters that follow? What about the many years we hope, and plan, to live before we die?
As one gets closer and closer to living from paycheck to paycheck, the time horizon shrinks. Concerns about next year become concerns about next month... and then next week... and then tomorrow... and then later today.
Trapped in the now is the state that we are collectively headed, so for myself, I must escape the now.
Escape the now means look beyond today, this month, this year, this life.
What can I do to escape the now?
Turn off the computer.
Turn off the TV.
Set aside time to think... you know enough already. You know how things are likely to go... if not when.
Stop reading.
Plan unplanned time where you can think into the future... far into the future.
Escape the now.
If that is what I need to do, how can I invite others to escape the now?
This seems a great challenge.
Today, a senator relayed a story about a single mother of two who had re-prioritized her spending: first, the mortgage; second, child care; third, gasoline; fourth, food.
How would I invite her to escape the now? To look into the future, near and far, to see how rising oil prices and our travel through the peak oil era alters everything?
And if I could, why do it?
Why open the way for others to learn what they might be able to do little about?
Because, we can do much.
Every choice is important.
Do we keep paying to drive alone to work, or do we walk, bike, share a ride, find public transportation?
Do we keep eating highly processed foods or do we start cooking again? Start growing our own food again?
Do we keep looking for entertainment and fun that cost money, or do we seek free fun with family, friends, neighbors?
Yes, sure, we are doing that!!! They say. What more, what more do you think we can do? What about this mortgage, which is eating up 50%, 60%, 70% of my cash? What about this car loan that is more than I can afford? What about these credit card bills, and maxed out cards that I never seem to be able to pay off? What about those things!
*sigh*
I don't know. I wish I did. Is there no hope for some?
THIS issue is growing. As more of us reach that paycheck to paycheck moment, and slowly sink below the waves, what can we do?
Essential. This question is essential for us for face, ponder, and solve. How do we escape being trapped in the now?
Comment by: auntiegrav (auntiegrav) (Jul-17-2008)
Aaron, you actually have it backward. I have a friend who has a palsy, and has little left brain function. He really is trapped in the Now, calls it 'sensibility'. The TV and internet and bills and prioritizing are all things for the future or a promise in the past to pay something in the future, or to present us with a dream other than the now. You aren't trapped in the Now. Anything but. The Now is taking a deep breath, looking around, deciding if you are hungry or not, and walking into the jungle and killing something to eat (or picking it). The Now is real need, not imagined costs or fuels or anything. The real is 'real'izing that everything happens and thinking is usually outside of reality. Marketing and religion are the belief that there is a tiger in the grass, ready to pounce, so we should go buy a place in heaven or an armored coat or a weapon. Now is walking through the grass, with courage to ignore the fear of the tiger and find that it is only a mouse cleaning up some fallen grain, then getting eaten by the tiger who was stalking the mouse, not you (But you stopped worrying about the tiger...) You and I are trapped in the cultural Non-Now: the dreams and systems designed to keep us outside of basic needs and off-kilter so that we seek comfort in satisfaction that only predetermined routines and others following those routines can provide for us through trade or enslavement. Stepping into the Now is to let everything fall or fly on its own, doing our part to meet our needs as minimally as possible and enjoying any respite. Your work on the conference was about the future, great because you sacrificed your time for your children's future. Most of the Now available to us has been consumed or processed away. Preparations for a future Now for our children are what we have. We sold our Now to corporations in exchange for money. Unless we are 17, we don't have much Now left for ourselves. Calling in sick is the Now. To meet one's own needs over those of the world, suffering in the reality of pain no matter what else happens. Why can't we "Call in Happy"?
Aaron Wissner is a teacher, educator, organizer and guest speaker. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, with emphasis on mathematics, science, and education. Mr. Wissner has taught and consulted for sixteen years in public school, in areas ranging from mathematics, science, computers, to leadership and television news production. He is the founder and organizer of the grassroots Local Future Network, a non-profit educational outreach organization dedicated to saving Earth through culture change.
Fossil Fuel
newculture
At the moment, I feel trapped in the now.
