Be Present

It was a beautiful day – the day like many others..

I like active lifestyle, so I often run to the beach, which is situated in few km from my place, make some exercise there and jump to the water 😉 Because of busy days I schedule my activities to keep my meetings on track – so far I am running 3-4 times per week and give to myself 1H20 for that. But I used to run the same track every time, so since few months I am running by the new road to the beach, which is not really road, but steps between rocks and stones, going up and down. Running become more difficult and more exciting as I can observe another view and enjoy nature. And as well, I met different people, and one of them I want to tell you about is Julien.

You might don’t notice him – an old suntan skinny man, walking in the way which is tough 😉 I was surprised to see him there. We said “Hello” to each other and he asked me: “Lady, would you like me to share with you the story of this road?!” “Sure!” – I said without knowing that conversation will take 30 minutes 😉 Julien was talking with a lot of enthusiasm and I really enjoyed it, but suddenly I started to feel nervous: my time was running out, and I saw that without asking any questions Julien was telling me the next story, and the next one… I supposed to have 1H20 of my usual training program and decided to skip swimming. Few minutes later I realised that even if I skip the shower and makeup I would be very late for my meeting. I made few attempts to stop conversation and finally we wished great day to each other!

Few days later I was back to my track and I saw Julien – and without any doubts I said: “Julien!! Happy to see you”!! He looked at me as said: “Hi! We know each other?” Well, usually people remember me ... So I reminded him about what we had discussed few days ago... Julien felt very sorry: “I really apologize, I have no memory at all! I am very sorry about it!! ... Won’t you mind if I share with you the story of this road?! This is very interesting story!” Well, answered with caution … 

30 minutes later I knew not only the story of this road, but also that Julien’s wife had passed away, that now he was living in his boat. He explained me that he had been retired, and also that he is now taking care of his elder sister… Julien told me that his favourite dish is meatballs and that he knows the best receipt, as well what is the best wedding contract and so on... He even gave me few taxing advances (after talking with my friend lawyer I realized he was totally right)! I didn’t feel nervous – I knew that it is at least 30 minutes …

Guess what happened next day when I crossed Julien? Gosh, no, please!! I have no 30 minutes!! I will run late on time with my schedule!! …

Well, after a month I know his story by heart. I have also counted, comparing his stories to each other, that he is about 90 years old and that his wife passed away 20 years ago which was “recently” for him... and what to say – I know the story of this wild road and I became expert in meatballs cooking 😉

I was extremely nervous in the beginning, thinking I was losing time listening same story every day. I understood the message: for me it was thinking about future and next meetings, but for Julien… Julien was fully living that present moment – it was now! He enjoyed the moment and conversation, sharing his life experience, being here and now. He didn’t remember me next moment, but now I may be the only one person he is talking during the day…

I was running yesterday, and I saw him seating and fishing. Well, I decided not disturb him 😉 He had greater company for that day 😉

Each situation teaches us, and this story reminds me the essential: live now, Be Present - the only one moment, the only one reality!