Read the Chapter You’re On: Embracing the Present in Life’s Ongoing Story

SHOW NOTES:

On this show…we are going to stick to reading the chapter we’re on by embracing the present in life’s ongoing story. Have you ever found yourself mentally rewriting chapters of your past or trying to peek ahead at pages you haven’t reached yet? It’s human nature to replay moments we wish had gone differently or to worry about what’s coming next. But while we’re busy editing old plotlines or predicting future twists, we miss out on the beauty and clarity of the chapter we’re actually in—the one unfolding right now. This week, we’re exploring what it means to truly read the chapter you’re on. No skipping ahead, no flipping back, just being present and fully engaged in this current moment of your life.

As seasons shift—both outside our windows and inside our souls—we’re faced with transitions that can stir anxiety, grief, anticipation, and hope. Maybe you’re watching loved ones age, adjusting to a new phase of your career, or coming to terms with blessings that also carry weighty responsibility. Today, we’re going to explore how to stay grounded in the now while honoring where you’ve been and where you’re going. So grab your favorite journal, take a deep breath, and let’s begin reading…right where you are.

Let’s start by defining what we mean when we say, “Read the chapter you’re on.” It’s more than a catchy metaphor—it’s a mindset. Just like reading a book, life unfolds one chapter at a time. But unlike a novel, we don’t get to flip ahead or rewrite the past. Yet many of us try. We revisit regrets, get stuck in nostalgia, or anxiously attempt to predict and plan for a future we haven’t reached. And when we do that, we lose our place in the present.

1. The Illusion of Control
   
   We often try to manage uncertainty by overplanning or ruminating—believing that if we just think hard enough, we can control the outcome. Spoiler alert: we can’t. While planning and reflection have their place, they become distractions when they rob us of the ability to fully engage with what’s happening right in front of us.
   
   
2. The Power of Presence
   
   Being present doesn’t mean ignoring your past or avoiding your future. It means recognizing that this moment—right now—is the only place where action and awareness can occur. This is the chapter where your growth is happening, your relationships are deepening, and your story is taking shape.
   
   
3. Life’s Seasonal Shifts
   
   Just like nature, we experience seasons: beginnings, growth spurts, stagnation, harvests, and even endings. These aren’t just age-related; they’re emotional and spiritual seasons too. Recognizing the chapter you’re in allows you to meet it with curiosity instead of resistance. Are you in a chapter of learning? Rest? Rebuilding? Joy? When we know what season we’re in, we can better understand what’s being asked of us.
   

Living in the present is not about staying stuck—it’s about giving your full attention to where you are so you can move forward with clarity and intention. Once you identify the chapter you’re in, you can start to ask the important questions: What is this chapter trying to teach me? How can I grow here? What do I want to carry forward—or leave behind—when the page turns?

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CHALLENGE: Slow down and truly inhabit the moment you’re in. Stop flipping pages in your mind and instead, take a breath, read the chapter you’re living—savor the words, the lessons, and the blessings right here, right now.

I Know YOU Can Do It!