By Fred Cavaiani
The joy in life comes from experiencing the wonder of the present moment. Each moment of life is a divine experience. Every particle of creation exists because there is a Divine Presence holding it in existence. Every leaf, every tree and every blade of grass exists because of a Creator. Every person has life because of the Creator of all life. This is not religion. It is a principle that cuts through and is deeper than any religion. It is called the Divine Loving Presence of God.
This past weekend I was with four of our grandchildren at our RV in the woods by Port Austin. They range from 9 to two years old. Their parents, our daughter and son-in-law were there also in their new RV. "Grandpa, can you take me for ride in your golf cart?" "Grandpa, can we ride and get an ice cream cone?" "Gwampa, can you read to me?" And so it went on throughout the weekend. Four lovely granddaughters continually entering our RV throughout the weekend to visit us with their sweetness and innocence. There were many wonders of the present moment over this past weekend.
Where did this sweetness come from? Where did this joy of life come from? Yes, they have wonderful parents and grandparents (that is a plug for my wife and myself). But this joy and innocence in experiencing life with such energy and excitement where does this come from?
I looked around me at the green trees, the beautiful flowers, the awesome Lake Huron-where did all this come from? It did not happen by chance. There is such a wondrous order and energy in everything and in everyone. As the weekend progressed I kept realizing-even in my tired moments-that there is a Divine Energy, a Power all around us. We are immersed in God at every moment of life.
The joy of life is to experience and observe this Divine Energy, this loving, compassionate and so beautiful Creator.
Regardless of what happens in life, each moment of life, when totally experienced and embraced, engages us profoundly with God. The sweet smile of a granddaughter, the glorious sunrise and peaceful sunset, the energizing and peaceful color of green which surrounds us all by the trees and shrubs, the high mountains and green valleys: all of this reflects Someone so much greater than ourselves.
Then I think of the honesty and brokenness of so many people over the years that have shared their life story with me: what a Profound Presence I experience listening to the open, honest, loving and sad stories of people's lives. What a privilege it is to listen! What an experience of a Profound Presence working between us.
There are no unimportant people in the world. Every person exists to manifest this Divine Power and Presence because it takes this Energizing Presence for everything and everyone to live. Sometimes we as human beings fall short of appreciating our origin. We do dumb, stupid and bad things that can cause pain and harm. This does not take away the fact that we originated from a Divine Origin that has allowed us to choose our journey through life. Everyone can make serious bad choices. But every person is also given the opportunity and inspiration to make good choices at every moment of life. Everyone has the possibility that they can change into a loving, compassionate and totally receptive person to this Divine Power, Love, Creator and Lover of mankind.
When I choose to fully focus on the moment before me I start making the choice to become humble, receptive and respectful to this God that is present within me, around me and in everything and everyone I see at this very moment. What a glorious life. What a wonderful way to live. And this experience of the Divine in everything and everyone will never end. The Joy of Living is always with us. My simple journey in life and forever is not to block this out.
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Fred Cavaiani is a licensed marriage & family therapist and psychologist with a private practice in Troy. He is the founder of Marriage Growth Center, a consultant for the Detroit Medical Center, and Henry Ford Medical Center. Fred conducts numerous programs for groups throughout Southeastern Michigan. His column in the Legal News runs every other Tuesday. He can be reached at 248-362-3340. His e-mail address is: Fredcavi@yahoo.com and his website is fredthecounselor.com
Published: Tue, Aug 11, 2015
