Now
By Emmet Fox
Has it ever occurred to you that the only time you ever have is the present moment? We have all heard this said many times but probably few of us realize, even slightly, all that it implies. It means that you can only live in the present. It means that you can only act in the present. It means that you can only experience in the present.
Above all, it means that the only thing you have to heal is the present thought. Get that right and the whole picture will change into one of harmony and joy. When some students hear this statement made they think, "Oh yes, I know that. I have known it for years"; but the chances are they have not yet understood it thoroughly. When they do, remarkable results will follow.
All that you know is your present thought, and all that you can experience is the outer expression of all the thoughts and beliefs that you are holding at the present time. What you call the past can only be your memory of the past. The seeming consequences of past events, be they good or bad, are still but the expression of your present state of mind (including, of course, the subconscious).
What you call the future, things that you may be planning, or things that you may be dreading-all this is still but a present state of mind.
This is the only meaning of the traditional phrase, The Eternal Now. The only joy you can experience is the joy you experience now. A happy memory is a present joy. The only pain you can experience is the pain of the present moment. Sad memories are present pain.
Get the present moment right. Realize peace, harmony, joy, good will, in the present moment. By dwelling upon these great things and claiming them -and forgetting during the treatment, all other things-the past and future problems alike will take care of themselves.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise , think on these things." Philippians 4:8
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