What’s Next? and What’s Now?

I have a phrase I’ve used for years when I’m restless. I might say it to someone or only to my self. I look around, and usually put my hands on my hips and say, ‘What’s Next?’

I say this because I’m ready to move on. I know there is more to do and just sitting around is not going to get it done.
I’m tired with the status quo and want to get to the future.

This past weekend, Beth and I attended the Wisdom 2.0 Conference in San Francisco. Wisdom 2.0 is an international event that brings together people from all spectrums of the mindfulness movement. Buddhist monks hang out with CEOs of tech companies side by side with leaders of non-profit foundations along with healers and neuroscientists. It is a marvelous mix of positive, insightful energy.

While I was in a discussion with one of the dozens of joyful, open-minded people, it dawned on me that my ‘What’s Next?’ statement was limiting.

By saying ‘What’s Next?’ I shift my focus away from here and now and toss it somewhere out into the future.

While It is very important to do some planning and to think ahead, it seemed that by continually focusing on what to do next, I’m missing something. The realization I had during that discussion was to add, ‘What’s Now?’

With ‘What’s Now?’ I focus on what is right in front of me. Everything we experience has a reason and is a reflection of our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. By being present to what is now, I become aware of some of those messages.

So, now when I say, or think, ‘What’s Next?’ I pause and add, ‘What’s Now?’

When I think about ‘What’s Now?’ I become more grounded and attuned to not just what’s around me, but also to what’s going on inside me.

The next time you’re restless and think you are ready to move on, before rushing into the future, take a breath, get centered and pay attention to where you are and how you feel. If you still want to move forward, you will do so from a better place.