The Challenge of Staying Present

A few weeks ago, I bought a plant that blooms late summer and wanted a new pot so I could put it on our deck. When I walked into HomeGoods, I was met with a wall of Halloween and fall decor. I could not find a single pot.

It was mid-August, with over a full month of summer waiting to unfold. But no. Whether people were done with being hot or just wanting a change, the stores bank on our inabiity to linger in the present. All I know is I couldn’t find a single pot.

I understand that stores can’t wait until a season has already shown up to put out merchandise. But declaring our present season is over and done, while we have a beautiful stretch ahead of us, indicates that our constant desire to move to the next thing is more prevalent than we know. 

When I was growing up, we often booked a house down the shore for the end of August. I don’t remember dreading that it was end of August. We played in the water, built stuff with sand, and enjoyed every minute we were there. We went home and continued playing until we realized school was starting that week. We eagerly got our things together and were excited to see our friends again.

I desperately want to be able to enjoy life like that again. I have found myself dreading the end of summer because living in the Pacific Northwest means the cloudy rainy days will be coming. But today it is sunny. Today it is still summer. Being aware of our tendencies to sneak out of the present helps us keep our feet in. 

The older we get, the faster the days seem to go. The pumpkins and fall leaves will be here soon enough. I decided to just plant that flower and cut me a summer bouquet to remind myself that summer is still alive and well. No corporate marketing strategy will convince me otherwise.