Words, Words, Words about The Now

Last night our family had book night. No television or computers or Wii: just all of us reading books with the Brandenberg Concertos playing softly in the background. I picked up The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The book documents her year of trying to understand and find happiness, and is a fascinating look at the subject.

On page 85, in a section titled "Enjoy Now," Rubin quotes Friederich Nietzsche (not the happiest of guys). I rolled my eyes and expected something stereotypically Nietzsche-esque (such as "God is dead.") but got this nugget instead:

"The end of a melody is not its goal; but nonetheless, if the melody had not reached its end it would not have reached its goal either. A parable."

If you're anything like me, you are a master at disengaging from The Now. My brain often floats away, thinking its thoughts, without paying attention to the moment or hearing its melody. And there are also times when The Now is less than pleasant, such as The Now occupied by The Lump.

How I hate The Lump.

But even The Lump is part of the reality of life. I don't have to like it, but it's here in The Now, part of the melody.

When I was driving home from Minnesota, I listened to I Love the Now by Jimmy Buffett and Carrie Fisher. It's a peppy, upbeat song. If you've never heard it, I highly recommend it. It'll boost your confidence in dealing with The Now.

At least it boosts mine.

I Love the Now
By: Jimmy Buffett, Carrie Fisher
1986

It's the reason for livin'
But that's what I'm givin'
I don't need a history lesson
To tell me why

I mean I'm in no hurry
To hustle and scurry
There's so much to see
And life ain't gonna pass me by

Tomorrow's right around the corner
I'll get there somehow
But I'm stuck in the meantime
And I love the now

Chorus:
I love the now (all the faces and places)
I love the now (all the rats and the races)
It's the only place I've ever been
It's the only way that I know how

Don't talk about your superstitions
Don't talk about your cats meow
But don't talk about tomorrow tonight
I love the now

It's true we've got problems
How do we solve 'em
Better break out your thinkin' cap
And your old dunce cone

Searchin' for answers like interpretive dancers
She asks me for reasons
Then tells me to wait for the tone

The whole damn world's gone crazy
The moon is jumpin' over the cow
How can you help but
Not love the now

Chorus:
I love the now (all the ranting and raving)
I love the now (all the cussin' and craving)
It's the only mess I've ever seen
It's the only place where I know how

Don't talk about your futuristic
Don't talk about your "thee's" and "thou's"
Don't talk about tomorrow tonight
I love the now

(horn and harp instrumental)

Sittin' on 'G'
Waitin' on 'O'
I'm exactly where
I want to go

Chorus:
I love the now (all the pain and the pleasure)
I love the now (all the blood and the treasure)
It's the only circus that I know
It's the only ring where I'm allowed

Talk about a standing ovation
Everybody take a bow
But don't talk about tomorrow tonight
I love the now

But don't talk about tomorrow tonight
I love the now
No don't talk about tomorrow tonight
I love the now