The Power of NOW

            “Why not I shelve it NOW?” This was what Jennifer told me as I was pushing two trucks out of the circulation area ready to be shelved. In my mind the following would be my tactics: I would shelve the nonfiction truck first then the second fiction truck would be my next target after I labeled it. Jennifer happened to come out from the staff working area and met me in the middle of the hallway. She saw the fiction truck at my right hand as I told her this would be it: the last ready truck to be shelved when labeled. She made a quick decision; instead of labeling and waiting Jennifer did it right then, right there. Guess what? Jennifer was exercising the power of now and had it into practice and action in no time. Based upon the quantity of books on that truck it would just take a person less than five minutes to accomplish the shelving task. Five minutes!

            Did you ever feel tired of incessant piling tasks or be dragged down by seemingly never ending jobs? One fact I have learned from working in the library is the books, DVDs, and CDs would never stop dropping in the return/book drop areas. It would become overwhelming and intimidating if one allows and lets the situations to consume your time, energy, or even your spirit unconsciously. It takes a healthy and good team’s work and efforts to target the tasks, if not beautifully, but gracefully with spent sweats and pants.

            I remember the first day I came back to work after a long vacation visiting my oversea family. Bad news was what I brought back from home. Yet, the sight of my teammates’ smiles and warm welcome hugs and taps on the shoulders I felt a kind of new force generated from inside of me. Instead of telling the bad news first, I asked for a status report (what’d happened and what’s happening) and where the library stood right now. After gathering the information I made a decision: ignored the doctor’s instructions and put myself in gear as if nothing had happened to my shoulder, my arm, and my hand.

            Once in a while, Lynette, my manager, would stop by the overnight drop chute and asked about my shoulder and arm’s condition. I told her I still have left hand to do my jobs. At hearing this, Lynette would wave her index finger and shake her head. From then on Lynette would empty the chute if she came first early in the morning. Together the both of us did the tasks.

A task shared became less tiring and easier. Do you know how that feels when you know there is someone willing to give you a hand without asked? Understood and loved!

            Whenever there were the two of us, Lynette and I, doing something together, I could almost feel there is a powerful force embracing me and something wonderful radiating from Lynette sweating and panting beside me. In return, Lynette’s presence would bring out undeniable positive energy and uplifting spirit from me. It’s so natural as if the force of gravity is replaced by something divine and sacred making me feel a sense of subliming and marvelous. The truth is I was feeling elevating and lightweight not just physically but mentally as well as spiritually. Empowered and heightened would be the condition to describe the sensation I was sensing and feeling.

            Facing a situation, condition, or under certain circumstances, a person’s instinctive response and primal decision, similar to the effect of a chain reaction, would make a big difference at the outcome and results. Take the example of the relationship between a seed and a tree. A strong and healthy tree comes from a solid and robust root that was grown from a tiny seed. Good seed (good in nature) is nurtured becoming a tall and well-grown tree with numerous branches and colorful leaves. The good would create and grow into greatness.

            What’s the power of now? Contrary to procrastination, a person’s strong will overcomes the weathered circumstances, or conditions. The mind set of “Do it now” empowers a person not only to do a job at hand right away but it might also bring out a person’s buried potential and hidden talents or gifts. Take the instance of Jennifer’s decision and action of shelving that fiction truck. What made her to act right away? It was based upon her past experiences: from the quick assessment of the books on that truck she knew it wouldn’t take more than five minutes to have it done. Why not now? This why not attitude challenged her and made her to take immediate action. The result? It’s very satisfying and productive.

            The power of now is no secret; it comes from a person’s attitude, mind set, will, plus cumulative experiences. Instead of waiting for someone to tell you what to do, you are your own conductor directing and leading your life at places you work, live, or visit.

The past is dust, spent and old, in the air, on the ground, settled and fixed. The future is whereabouts, unknown. Now is your life. Set! Ready! Action!