Each moment moves into the next, leaving the precious moment behind. The present moment is radically unstable, never remaining for more than an instant. But now is stable in its instability.
It is not possible to hold onto the moment. Try it for a second. Experience each moment moving to the next. The nature of what is here is not to remain.
Reflecting on this instability, there becomes an obvious impermanence to everything. Time always flows forward, never back. Each moment moves into the next.
That said, there is a continuity in this instability. The moment is always the moment, always moving. Stable in its instability. A form of organized chaos.
Consider a campfire, light flickering in an ever-changing state of combustion. Taking a photo of the fire would snapshot an instant in time. We could then observe the state of the fire and describe it.
But the fire has already moved on, continuing to burn. Life cannot be paused for observation, it is always moving forward. We can create memories, but those memories are in the past, not in the now.
Try to think about the present moment. By the time you have thought about it, this moment has already moved on to the next moment. What you are thinking about is already gone.
Each instant is new and unique, a surprise. The moment never repeats itself. Like a flower in a constant state of bloom, life continues to develop and progress, moment by moment.
Each moment is constantly changing into the next, a perpetual state of fluidity. The moment is not definable, as it shape shifts into the next moment.
Recognizing this perpetual fluidity, this constant change, can help bring awareness to the moment. If each moment is unique, there is value in experiencing it as it comes and goes, never to occur again.
Becoming comfortable with discomfort, stable in instability, can provide a lot of value throughout life. By being prepared for unpredictability, life can become easier to navigate.
Do not try to control or stop the passage of time, but instead embrace it and go with the flow of now. Enjoy the journey, be less concerned about the destination.
If you found this helpful or interesting, I would love to hear your thoughts! The more we learn how this practice helps each of us, the more we can collectively improve. Please feel free to leave questions or comments below.
Continue reading about the nature of now with: Allowing the Moment to Be As It Is.
Find the full list of mindful thoughts here.
