inhabit the situation you happen to be in now

.

Caretake this moment.

Immerse yourself in its particulars.

Respond to this person, 

this challenge, this deed.

Quit the evasions.

Stop giving yourself needless trouble.

It is time to really live; to fully inhabit 

the situation you happen to be in now.

You are not some disinterested bystander.

Exert yourself.

Respect your partnership with providence.

Ask yourself often, How may I

 perform this particular deed

such that it would be consistent with

 and acceptable to the divine will?

Heed the answer and get to work.

When your doors are shut 

and your room is dark you are not alone.

The will of nature is within you 

as your natural genius is within.

Listen to its importunings.

Follow its directives.

As concerns the art of living, 

the material is your own life.

No great thing is created suddenly.

There must be time.

Give your best and

 always be kind.

~ Epictetus 

a fig in winter

Although from the beginning

I knew

the world is impermanent,

not a moment passes

when my sleeves are dry.

~ Ryokan

When you are delighted with anything, be delighted as with a thing which is not one of those which cannot be taken away, but as something of such a kind, as an earthen pot is, or a glass cup, that, when it has been broken, you may remember what it was and may not be troubled… What you love is nothing of your own: it has been given to you for the present, not that it should not be taken from you, nor has it been given to you for all time, but as a fig is given to you or a bunch of grapes at the appointed season of the year. But if you wish for these things in winter, you are a fool. So if you wish for your son or friend when it is not allowed to you, you must know that you are wishing for a fig in winter.

At the times when you are delighted with a thing, place before yourself the contrary appearances.


~ Epictetus
from The Discourses of Epictetus

with thanks to brainpickings