Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

Living in the Present Moment

We sometimes waste a great deal of our energies by dwelling on the past or by worrying about the future. At other times we waste a great of energy by imagining what it would be like to be somewhere - or someone - else.

Living in the present moment enables us to reinterpret our past and to prepare for our future. Living in the present moment enables us to become more of whom God calls us to be in the real circumstances in which we find ourselves each day.

"To advance well we must apply ourselves
to make good way in the road
nearest to us, and do the first day's journey."
(LW I 5)

"We fight the monsters of Africa
in imagination, but from lack of attention we
allow us in reality to be killed
by the little serpents that lie in our way."
(In III 37)

"Let us await our advancement with patience,
and instead of disquieting ourselves
because we have so little profited in the time past
let us diligently endeavor to do better
in the time to come."
(T IX 7)

"The pilgrims who spend all of
their time counting their steps
will make little progress."
(S XII 3)

"I recommend that you look before you
but not dwell upon those
dangers which you see in the distance."
(LW I 5)

"Those who run best in the race
do not think of the crowd
which is looking at them."
(LW IV 1)

"Great works do not always come our way
but every moment presents us with
opportunities to do little ones
with excellence."
(T XII 6)

"Wheresoever we are, we can
and should aspire to a perfect life."
(In I 3)

"How foolish are those who waste time and thought
in desiring to be martyred in the Indies,
but do not apply themselves to the
duties of their state in life."
(C VIII)

"Do not sow a crop of good intentions
in your neighbor's garden
but cultivate your own with diligence."
(S XIII 7)

"The farmer will never be reproached
for not having a good harvest,
but only for not carefully
tilling and sowing his own ground."
(T IX 7)

"Not only is God always in the place where you are,
but God is in a very special manner
in the depths of your spirit."
(I II 2)

"The day that is past must not judge
the day present, nor the present day
judge that which is past; it is only the
Last Day that judges all."
(In III 29)

"What is the use of building castles in Spain
when we have to live in France?"
(LE VI 19)