Dr. Bea has a sight challenge. He gets up every morning and takes a bus to the downtown clinic to run the psychology department using two good feet, a white cane, and an engaging mind. Dr. Bea loves his life despite his sight limitations because it isn’t a limitation for him. He finds the humor in his situation and concentrates on living well. How does he do this? 

Dr. Bea lives in the now. One of his first questions to us was—“How’s your now?” Dr. Bea said few people ask that question. Instead they ask, “What are you looking forward to doing this weekend?” “Or how is this downturn in the economy effecting you?” These questions are real “downers. “ These questions imply that you aren’t doing okay right now.  

Bea said he was reminded of this when a woman got on the bus and rushed over to him. They had never talked together and he had never “seen” her before. She said she had been thinking about him a lot lately and asked if she could pray for him. He said he didn’t mind her wanting to pray for him, but why not for everyone on the bus? She replied that she wanted him to regain his eyesight. She thought he could through prayer and the laying on of hands. Bea’s response was that he was having a terrific day and he’d be glad to pray and rejoice, but his vision loss was not a problem for him. The sputtering woman didn’t know how to respond to Bea’s outlook and got off the bus at the next stop. 

Obviously, Bea has overcome the limitations imposed by his blindness. He loves a good joke, even at his expense. He asked that his introduction be fun and enjoyed being announced as the speaker who had spoken to us before because we couldn’t find anybody else. 

When accepting a challenge in life, Bea believes it’s best to face it head on. Anxiety builds if one avoids the challenge. Instead, going forward to meet the challenge causes the anxiety to lose its grip. One can even feel joy and mastery by tackling the problem because then it doesn’t loom or overshadow the pleasure in the now. You always come through the challenge on the other side. 

So how’s your now? How can you improve your now? By facing challenges and not using energy worrying about a distance fork in the road. This will help your now. And, give thanks. Bea asks his clients to keep a gratitude journal. Find five things each evening to be thankful for and write them down. Focusing on gratitude will give your life a wonderful perspective on living well in your now as your journal bulges with thankfulness. Then the worries of life are pushed to the back of the bus as you focus on the road right in front of you. 

I left thinking of five things I was thankful for that had happened that day. 1. I heard Dr. Bea’s talk and was inspired. 2. I sat at the luncheon with two colleagues who I always enjoy being around and we shared laughter together. 3. The salmon meal was not only delicious but also nourishing. 4. I’d put out a group email request for a senior photo needed by the media and the response was wonderful. People showed up and we were able to put together a good story image. 5. I was going to an evening workshop on writing to push my craft by studying with a writer I admired. 

Wow! My NOW is full of good experiences and feelings! I’m taking the time before bed each day to list five things that I’m grateful that happened. (This is certainly better than going to bed after listening to the nightly newscast.)  Yes, my life is good. Thanks Giving reminds me daily of just how good it is.