Only a limitless now
It has been more than two years since I finished reading “Shogun“, the first book of ‘The Asian Saga’ series of James Clavell. It introduced me to a feudal systems of Medieval Japan. The book revolves around the first British sailor – pilot who crashes on Japanese coast and a very powerful daimyo Lord Yashi Toronaga who is a main contender in a race to the Shogunate. Japanese philosophy is scattered throughout the book in a form of various quotes and dialogues between various characters. However one particular thought stayed with me the most.
“How beautiful life is and how sad! How fleeting, with no past and no future, only a limitless now.”
Lord Toranaga, thinks when he is pondering about his situation in whole feudal system and a race to the Shogunate, the arrival of the Englishman in his province, possibility of clash between the Englishman and the Portuguese Christians at the same time.
“Live in the moment” is what we have always been told when one starts to dwell in the past or is daydreaming about the future. Brooding over what we missed in the past is not going to help us unless and until we learn from it and move on. At the same time, thinking about the future just enough to plan for our today’s action is perfectly alright, in fact, is necessary to be successful. However, dwelling either in the past or in future always make us lose the joy of the present.
I remember a very heart touching scene from an animation movie Kung Fu Panda where Master Oogway gives his last and best teachings for Po, the Dragon Warrior. “There’s a saying, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the ‘present'”. Teachings of Master Oogway and the pondering thought of Lord Toronaga share the same belief.
We have always been taught to keep working on your job in hand, neither think about what fruits our efforts will bear nor worry about if we have missed something in the past. Unnecessary worry of future and regretting the past will only make us lose the moment in hand. In a way just like Clavell said, life is a very sad thing which lasts only for a moment. We can’t control the future nor can we change the past. But at the same point, it is very beautiful if we enjoy that moment. The only thing in our hand, is to live in “a limitless now”.
Just like 2018, I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter‘s #MyFriendAlexa campaign. My current rank is 2,883,421.
Hope you enjoy my writings. Feel free to share, comment bellow.
What a beautiful blog! Your blog stands out in terms of the visual appeal. Interesting choice of posts and quite informative too. But I muat say i kept clicking on multiple articles to enjoy the visuals. Commendable job.
Thanks a lot for wonderful compliment. I am so happy that you enjoyed the articles as well as design of mh blog!!!
Loved the post and writing style. The design of the blog was eye-catching. Very unique and interesting .
This was beautiful summarization
Thank you, hope you enjoyed the read
I liked this post a lot. The secret of a happy and healthy life is to act in the present and not to worry the future. Our current actions do have a role to play in how the future pans out. As far as the past is concerned we can only learn from it and use base our actions on what we learn.
I am very happy that you are finding my post helpful ?
You know what, the reading list just keeps getting longer and longer and longer thanks to this campaign.
Yes Pratibha, you are absolutely right. Reading list gets longer day by day. But hope you liked my writing 🙂
Beautiful write up, loved the creativity you flows in your word.
#millennialscribbler #myfriendalexa
Thanks for the compliments ?
Loved reading this post, seriously a beautiful write up written by you.
Cant agree more. Limitless now is what we should be focusing on but we keep on thinking about unknown future and already lived and gone past.
Loved the writing style
Awesome Visualization
Loved it
Thanks for the kind words!!! ?
Truly well encapsulated wisdom! Touche! (Wished the font were more readable! Something like Garamond or Helvetica!)
Thanks for the suggestion. I was just trying the font. I will work on it immediately
Your site stands out in terms of both the design and content and this particular post surely is inspirational.
I am happy that you enjoyed all the aspects of my site. 🙂
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift.. True to every word. But we tend to forget this saying in our daily lives & tend to stress ourselves out with the uncontrollable future & unchangeable past. I really liked your post.
I am so happy that you liked my post. Thanks for reading
A very inspirational post. Wonderful blog & amazing writing. One who is sad would surely drive positive energy your content.
Thanks for the comment. hope you will enjoy my other posts too.
This is a wonderful thought to start one’s day with! Indeed, living in the moment can help anyone live better. 🙂
I wish your day will be a limitless now and you will enjoy it. Thanks for the comment. 🙂
Wonderfully written and the point conveyed so beautifully ?
Every moment in the “present”, in the “now” is full of opportunities and once we start living in the “present moment” is when we won’t really have to struggle to control or balance in life. The idea is so well captured and presented through the reference to the japanese story and the movie.
I am very happy that you liked my post and you have summarised it so well in this comment. Thank you so much….
Wonderful thoughts captured in this small write-up.
#MyFriendAlexa
#AditiReads
aditikapur.com
Thanks Aditi
I am definitely intrigued into reading James Clavell after reading this post! We just need to accept the fact that we have no control over the past and the future and start living in the present, the best way we can!
Ohh definitely pick his books, they are wonderful. Start with Shogun.
The essence of life beautifully summarised. Of course it is something we hear repeatedly but the way you have put it lends a new appeal. The presentation is also very appealing.
This post is the first thing I read this morning and it left me with this pleasant contentment. Your blog is so appealing and the font has such a soothing appeal. And, thanks for introducing me to James Clavell (I googled and felt I was living on some other planet to not know about the Asian Saga). So happy to have visited!!
Definitely pick the Shogun to start with James Clavell. He is an amazing story teller. I changed the font to this one just some hours before. I am happy that it’s working.
The site looks so neat, as they say we eat by eyes first before tounge, exactly same thing happened with me. The format and font had great appeal. Moving to content it matches the expectation set by the look. Great going.
Thanks a lot for you kind compliments!!! ???
Wow! Reading this just when I needed it. Thank You for such an amazing post.
I am so happy that you liked it!!!
Well limitless is the most desirable state just like nirvana. Cant agree with you more on this.
I think if one starts truly living in the moment, it is Nirvana
You have a wonderful blog and what a lovely post. Living in the moment is indeed the key to happiness. #MyFriendAlexa #ShubhraReads
Hope you find the key soon… 🙂 i am happy that you liked my writing
I believe that living in the moment is the essence of life. Beautifully expressed here.
I wish that you find that essence soon. Thanks for complement about my article 🙂
Wow such a thought pulling post.. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the ‘present’”.. Indeed it is. Beuatiful
That is my favourite moment from the film. I love that scene so much
I liked the point that when we can’t change the past and can’t predict the future then why not enjoy the present moment? Life is full of happy and sad moments. When happiness doesn’t stay for long then why will sadness?
Living the moment and making the best of it is the key to happiness. A very versatile blog, I must say.
Thanks a lot Vartika, hope I will be able to spread the same joy for you in future too ?
Very true, nothing in life stays forever. It’s just like ocean waves. They come and go
What a lovely post! Limitless – is a word to ponder upon now.
This is a beautiful post. Sometimes we forget about the present and are worried about the future. One should live in the present and work towards making it better. Loved reading your post.
such a poignantly written post. If only it was that easy to practice in life that we will not think of the future or the past but will enjoy the present.
Very true yaar, it’s tough to put these things in practice…
Love and totally believe in master oogway. After all life and every moment is a present. #damurureads #myfriendalexa
My fav character from the film ?
Nice post , it’s true that Today is a present , we should enjoy it to fullest .
Cheers to that ? ??
Inspirational post!! A limitless now. We understand this fact but feel difficult to apply.
But reading positive information, again and again, one can surely apply.
Thank you for this positive post?
I am happy that my post is useful for you. Yes, even I feel the same. Write such positive things boosts my moral too ?
woow loved reading it!
Liked the theme and design of your blog, not to forget the original,realistic content. Surely, living in the present is the way to live life.
I am happy that you loved the design. Today morning itself, i tweeked the design a bit based in feedback from you guys… Thank you for being so supportive ?
good point well made as usual. loved the post. Keep sharing more of wisdom just like Master Oogway.
Like Master Oogway, that’s a huge responsibility yaar!!! I will try to do my bit..
Living in the present moment, relishing what you have now and enjoying the time that is now is the most important lesson one has to learn, time flies and never returns!
Live in the present moment and enjoy it fullest. Even the present is slipping so quickly from our hands. No one has a power to hold it tight …isn’t it ??? #journeysays
Indeed, no one has a power to hold it. That’s why one has to live it.
An awesome thought! How true is that, we have got infinite now and we rarely do appreciate it enough.. A very enlightening post!
Good layout and good content that seems enligthening
Thank you Pooja
What a writeup and what a layout I thoroughly enjoyed your writing, the most important thing to enjoy the life is only and only “to live in Present “neither past nor future!!!!
Thank you so much for your complements
It’s important to enjoy the present and keep worries out..such a positive post!
Blood me hi hai… B +ve ?
Lovely lines …”Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the ‘present’” These days we r asked to live in the present. Is the past irrelevant? Should we not plan for the future? #wordsmithkaurreads #MyFriendAlexa #BlogChatter
No, past is kot irrelevant, and future needs to be planned. But just dwelling in past and only daydreaming about future is troublesome
Thank you so much for such a kind words!!!
A limitless now sounds possible but is that a good thing either?I really dont know.Without the past to remember and a future to hope for life would be boring for me !
Past isn’t supported to be discarded altogether. But living only in past is problematic, just like only dreaming about future and not working is.
First of all, I like you blog and articles a lot. Hopped a few before commenting here.
Next, while now people are talking about mindfulness this article touches the power of now without overflow of information and giving food for thought. Living in past never helps neither do dreaming about future. Nice post.
Thanks, i am happy that you liked my way of writing. I always try to write what I feel instead of always referring to what people has written and compiling it to present case studies.
And that makes it awesome 🙂
Your last line sums it all, we have a limitless now but we ignore it. Forgetting about last and future is difficult but if we follow it will help ease our stress.
No re, it’s not about forgetting it completely. It’s just being aware of past and future and living in the moment
Your post teach us a biggest life lesson that we all often forget. indeed, it is very important to live in the moment, and enjoy present time. being mindful is key of a happy and peaceful life and your post has reminded this thought so beautifully. #Surbhireads #MyfriendAlexa
Thanks Doc. Hope you will enjoy my posts in future tooo
How true! Now is everything. I loved all the beautiful quotes you shared.
Thanks, hope you will enjoy the rest of them too
I loved reading your thoughts and can see your passion in your writing.
Thanks
That’s my favourite quote from Kungfu Pando. I loved the message behind this post. We’ve got learn to live in the present for that’s the only thing under our control.
It is so important to live in present the way we want our future to shape, after all our thoughts and mindset sets how our future will turn out.
Beautifully written, I prefer to live and feel only the moment. Great read.
It looks like this book says a lot about Japanese history and the way mentioned its phrases, it looks like it provides life lessons as well. I would love to read it. Can you provide me the link to buy it?
Here’s a pretty nice message you gave through your blog. I really loved reading it and have been inspired by it
It is important to live in the moment and your post nicely sums it up. Also, I am glad I visited this post on the right time for some positive reinforcement.
lovely post, live the present moment. do not know are you able to see the future or not. enjoy
What a beautiful post. We must live in the moment and enjoy life you the fullest.
I am so glad to find a fellow blogger who loves to take back life lessons from animation movies as well.
Limitless Now- Just two words but they encase the whole life of any individual.. As I read it , I felt goosebumps realising that whtever day hour minute second I am living, breathing…that is my NOW and as the time passes by, I go along with it..My NOW is always with me. It will be limitless till my last breath.
It felt so refreshing. Thank you for this post.
#readbypreetispanorama
Limitless now is such a nice concept. Sad how our every day life is such a mechanical routine, taking a pause and enjoying the moment is absolutely important
That’s so true . Today is a beautiful present . But we often ignore the present worrying about future needs . I loved your post Adi
Hey Adi, these 102 comments clearly says that you have written so beautiful. So, I am thinking what should I write here in the comment box..
Loved your post. Keep sharing.
Loved reading your post and wondered about the limitless mundane of everyday..we work like a clockwork thinking there’s still time for so many things and time slips away like sand from our hands
Loved reading your post and wondered about the limitless mundane of everyday..we work like a clockwork thinking there’s still time for so many things and time slips away like sand from our hands
so well written post just loved reading it…
That’s intriguing read Loved the post and writing style. Agree we should focus on our work instead for worrying about future
A lovely post. You must have been very impressed with Shogun, to be writing a post much after you read it.
The post is thought provoking! All that we should work for is present. The past and future is beyond our hold.
Beautiful write up and interesting thoughts. Glad to be connected ?
Even I loved the saying by Master Orgway:)
What is the chance of both of us leaving a comment on each other’s blog at the same time? Almost zero right? But it happened right now. For us
Is it, that’s a happy coincidence ???
Enjoying every moment of our life should be our goal. You have unique and interesting thoughts. Also presentation is very beautiful. Most importantly your website design keep readers glued to the content. Keep it up.
A post like this can only be written by someone who reads, imbibes, internalises and adds his own perspective to it. You have been gifted with a brilliant narrative style. Thank you so much for writing this post – it made me stop and think about life. Keep writing such informative posts. #MyFriendAlexa #DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter
Very well-said, Adi! Loved your review of the book, its philosophy and your musings. Couldn’t agree more. #TinaReads
this is exactly what i believe in and pursue. also, its great to read such perspectives about life.
#myfriendalexa #princyreads
You have such a great appealing blog! This is such a nice post. I am already in love with your journal.
Love how you have arranged your blog. The aesthetics definitely go with the kind of content you dish out. Nice work. Keep the great work going.
#ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia #MyFriendAlexa
Quite a good thinking and thank you for the reminder ?
I had the opportunity to read Shogun. You have beautifully narrated the philosophy of living in the moment that is enshrined in Zen Buddhism. Samurai though apparently very violent and may appear they don’t care for life, to me it appeared they thought life to be a fleeting journey. This present shape and form is transitory like that for. cherry blossom flower. I enjoyed reading the book.
What a lovely post!! Loved the visuals and the interesting topic!! We need this reminder and learn to enjoy the present!!