Last week, I listened to the audio version of the book “The Present” (I borrowed it from the library on CD) by Spencer Johson, co-author of the best-selling books “Who Moved My Cheese?” and “The One-Minute Manager.” Although I’ve also read those two books, “The Present” is the one that really struck a chord with me.
“The Present” is a short story written as a fable. It can be a bit cliché but the ideas are quite sound and they ring true as common sense. The concepts described are tools to help the reader be more satisfied with his/her present situation, learn from past mistakes and make plans for the future. Although the principles are nothing new, it is the method that has refreshed this material.
A nice realization hit me as I listened to this didactic book: for the first time in years I’m mostly satisfied with my life-situation. Of course, I’d like to be thinner, have a little lot more savings in the bank, etc., but instead of just wishing for these things, we’re working on plans to make these dreams happen. A few years ago, I couldn’t have happily lived in a small town (pop. 5,000) as I was so used to city/suburban life. It seems that unwittingly I’ve applied some of the principals in “The Present” and that’s what’s helped me appreciate what we have here: several sets of good friends, a reasonably priced home, jobs that enable us to meet our financial obligations and to do some travel, a good veterinarian for our cats, and so on. I don’t spend my time here looking off into the distance, lost in wishful thinking. I guess I’ve been counting my blessings more than thinking about what I have to live without.
I realize it may all sound a bit trite but I believe there is a very fine line between hope and despondence. I’ve found that which side I’m on is completely up to me.