In 1949 at age seventeen, Sylvia Plath wrote in her diary:
Somehow I have to keep and hold the rapture of being seventeen. Every day is so precious I feel infinitely sad at the thought of all this time melting farther and farther away from me as I grow older. Now, now is the perfect time of my life.
So often we are focused on what we want in the future, 
what we hope to gain or achieve: a promotion, losing weight, getting a new car, house or spouse…
But what about right now?
I once described to a friend how things were going well for me at that point in my life. I said, ‘it’s all working out perfectly’, to which she replied, ‘how could it be anything but?’ She was suggesting that there is a perfection to the universe and the way things are in each moment, even if they are not as we intend them.
Sometimes we get so focused on what we want in the future (or what we miss from the past) that we forget to notice the perfection in our life right now, as it is.
There’s this line in the last episode of The Office where Andy says, ‘I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days, before you’ve actually left them.’ Even if where you are right now is not exactly where you want to be, there will most likely come a time when you look back fondly on something that you have right now.
>>> Prompt:
In your journal, note down all the wonderful things about your life right now. Regardless of what you hope to achieve in the future (and those are, of course, still good things to hope for!), try to really hone in on what it is that you like about your life now. It doesn’t matter how small or insignificant it may be, whatever you can think of about your life right now that makes you smile.
You could write this in list format, as a mind map, or just stream-of-consciousness. Use different coloured pens if that takes your fancy.
If you are visually inclined you may wish to create a page in an art journal or a collage of photographs, or words/images from magazines.
Here’s a few of the things I came up with – What I love about my life right now:
- My washi tape collection
- Spending time with my puppy
- Journaling every day
- Playing in my art journal
- Getting a regular paycheque
- Spending time with my partner
- Watching The Office (obsessed much?)
- Nurturing myself creatively every day
Happy journaling!
journalwild.home.blog 
Thanks, Jen. I’m having a bad day, having been criticized directly or indirectly three times already–and it’s only 3:00 pm. I went to our local arboretum and journaled about it being “Criticize Sue Day” but that didn’t help except that I see the criticisms were really more about them than they were about me.
Guess it would be better to dwell on “What I love about my life right now” as you suggest. I’ll start with the lunch I enjoyed with a supportive friend, the wonderful weekend I had, and the ability to take vacations. I also have a wonderful family and good health. Heck, I feel better already.
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Hi Sue – sorry to hear you’re having a bad day! In truth, I wasn’t feeling too great when I got home yesterday which is exactly why I wrote it! I was tempted to do the same thing – dwell on the bad stuff – but I really found this lifted my mood. Hope it helps you too! 🙂
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Wow! I found your blog through RowdyKittens, and I love it so far. I did your journaling prompt and ended up with 24 items so far. (ran out of space on that page!) ha! Love your stuff. Can’t wait to read more. 😀
-Merry
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Hi Merry, thanks! Glad to hear it was helpful and encouraging – I found the same thing when I did the prompt, I came up with way more things than I thought I would! Thanks for visiting and hope to see you here again soon 🙂
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Jen,
I’m so glad our paths have crossed. I just love your blog, and this post is no exception. NOW is the only time that is really in existence; we can use our journals to focus on Right Now. I love the idea of listing the Good Stuff, putting our smile on! Remember what we focus on, grows. So, right on!
I have chosen your post, Journal Prompt: The Perfect Now, as Dawn’s #JournalChat Favorite on 7/24/14. I will share a link on my website, in Refresh Journal and on the social networks, including a re-post on our #JournalChat Live Facebook Group!
Great ideas, Jen. Love your vibe. Thanks for sharing your Voice.
Be refreshed,
Dawn Herring
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Hi Dawn, thanks so much for your kind words and enthusiasm. Starting this blog and sharing my ideas has been a bit daunting, but getting encouragement from people like you makes it so worthwhile and reassures me that I’m on the right track! I’m excited that you’re going to share the post and really pleased that this resonates with you. Thanks again and please keep visiting! 🙂
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I think you are going to bring me back from the abyss – thank you again
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Glad I could help xx
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