Is the Present Moment Enough for You?

More on contenment, stewarding time & gratitude.

Jun 03, 2024

New week, new letter! Hey everyone, hope you’ve all had an amazing week so far? Welcome to the month of June, I honestly can’t believe we’re in the sixth month of the year? Time has really flown by and naturally I’ve been in a very reflective space. Stay tuned for my next quaterly reflection where I’ll expand more.

Catch up with last week’s Unpacking with Lessons in Seasons

Rhieme Recommends 💌

Youtube Video: ‘A Raw Conversation: God when?’ This is a video from one of my favourite youtubers. In it she shares the reality of seasons of waiting, trusting the process and more. I highly recommend for anyone who needs some encouragement!

Now let’s get into today’s newsletter!

Is the Present Moment Enough For You?

I know, a very interesting question, but I’m asking again, is the present moment enough for you? This moment right here, as you read this, are you content with where you find yourself? The reason I’m asking this question is because it’s a question I’ve had to ask myself recently. Can you be content even when you eagerly anticipate new chapters that are yet to unfold, new milestones, memories etc, how are you cherishing the present moment? As important as it is to be forward thinking and not dwelling on past glory, something clicked for me and it’s the fact as much as we shouldnt’ be too fixated on what life has been and those good times that were truly high times, there’s nothing wrong with reminiscing the past and present as we patiently await what is to come. The reason I say this is because, it’s very easy for discontentment to seep in when we’re constantly thinking about what is to come. But what about now? This past week? The silent wins you’ve made in private. The unspoken battles you have won, that people may never know of, isn’t that worth being glad about?

Two Things Can Co-Exist

I had a conversation with someone recently and she made a profound statement, she said to me, two things can co-exist. When she said it, I had an internal aha moment! You can be grieving the life you thought you would have, and be joyful about the life you do have. You can be in pain, but still have moments of thankfulness. You may not be where you thought you ought to be, but you can be thankful for the present moment. The consistent theme is choice — how are we choosing to see? You can still choose to see your life as beautiful and worth living even when everything in you wants to say the contrary. Of course I have to acknowledge that there can be extremely distressing moments that are dark, but my point is, how we see the now actually shapes how we will embrace the future. If we are constantly disatissfied with our present lives, when will it ever be enough? When we make more money? Have more friends? Achieve more? Whilst these desires are not inherently wrong, I don’t think our basis for contenment should be based on acquiring or doing more. I honestly think it comes down to our mindsets and heart posture.

I listened to this podcast last year and it was such an important reminder of the importance of ceasing now: the caption title is self-explanatory, give it a listen!

The Significance of Sight

The way we choose to see I believe also ties in with how we choose to steward our time and utilise what we have in our hands now. It’s easy to think that we have in our hands now is too small for anything substantial to come from it, but who said so? When we see a seed, unless it is actively nurtured and cultivated, how else will sprout to be the tree it was created to be? If we constantly look down on our present moments and not sow, how would we ever reap the harvest we desire? We don’t have to wait until everything is ‘together’ before we take action. There is so much strength that lies in making the most of the moment despite being unaware of what is to come and you can start today, now. Share with me, what are you choosing to take a step towards today?

This is an excerpt from the sermon at my church on Sunday and it was such a timely reminder of the importance of ceasing now and not giving up: full sermon here.

Leave a comment

This verse serves as such an apt reminder:

Ecclesiates 11:4 ‘he who observes the wind, waiting for all conditions to be perfect will not sow seed and he who looks at the clouds will not reap a harvest’.

I’m coming to a place where, I truly want to see everyday as worth living and making the most of and I hope you do too. Even in seasons where it feels like nothing exciting is happening, the fact that I am alive and breathing is a good enough reason to be thankful. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect for our lives to be worth living. We’re not created to be showreels, as mundane as life may seem, it is still a gift to be treasured and made the most of.

I read this caption earlier on this week and it was so profound.

What are you grateful for? 🖋️

I’ll go first!

Community: I’m grateful for the gift of people in my life. May was full of spending time with some of my loved ones.
My sis surprised me and it was honestly a highlight of my month!!
My friend hosted the sweetest picnic and it was so wholesome!
Perspective: I’m learning to reframe more these days and see every situation that comes up with the reminder, that everything God brings my way, is from the place of His love for me.
I went on a solo brunch last week and used it to take stock of the month and year so far, it was great! I always have my personalised journal handy when I want to take note of important things. I highly recommend getting one from here.
Life: To be alive, in good health and breathing is something to be grateful for!

I want to hear yours! Share with me below, I’m also giving away this devotional that supported me through a season of deep reflection and I learnt the importance of contenment. It’s called verse and venture. Share your takeaway and stand the chance of getting a copy (UK based only).

I really enjoyed writing today’s newsletter, I’m not sure why, but it’s sparked some joy within me and has got me thinking even more. As we wrap up here are some journalling prompts for you!

Journalling Prompts 💌

How are you really?

Are there experiences you’ve passed through this year that are shaping your sight, whether good or bad?
What are you grateful for?
What’s one thing you’re working towards this week?

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts, share them below!

I hope this met you where you are, if it did, let me know below. And I’d see you next week! June will be a joyful month, hope you have a lovely week ahead.