A Wednesday Word From The Director | Cherish The Present Day

Dear Community,

Last week I promised a deep introspective post and now (today) I am just not feeling like writing a lengthy post. So often we hold ourselves to incredibly high standards, set these lofty expectations and then stress out when our reality doesn’t match the thing we envisioned. I have been learning and practicing the art of living in and enjoying the present moment. Savoring the experience of now as opposed to constantly striving for the next next best thing in the future. As a visionary I have a never ending list of “what’s next” and a constant striving to meet the next goal. If I am not careful life can become an endless stream of checklists, checking off the next goal and constantly looking and thinking into the future to get on the “next”. This mindset can create an undue anxiety and limits the practice of mindfulness, contentment and gratitude e. By living more in the present I am able to think critically and mindfully about the greatness all around me (right now) and cherish the entire journey including the day to day actions that lead to the completion of much bigger goals and dreams.

I am incredibly grateful and proud of my accomplishments over the last four years. So much of the success that I am celebrating with my team and community right now is the the result of lots of hard work, visioning, goal setting, and action. It is important to be mindful of everything it took to get to this present moment and express gratitude in the success. Looking back on the last four years of activity, practicing mindfulness in this moment and cherishing the present day, gives me clarity and hope that future goals will continue to be realized. I hope that you take time exist in the present moment and cherish the present day.

Calvin Eaton Photo credit: Michele Ashlee

(he/his/him) Calvin Eaton is a disabled community educator, content creator, and social entrepreneur, whose area of expertise includes antiracism, equity, justice, instructional design, and program development. In 2016 Mr. Eaton founded 540WMain, Inc. a non-profit online and community-based organization for accessible education and events that promote justice for all.

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1) Join our growing membership base at patreon.com/540wmain
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1. Visit our blog for over 700 social justice focused posts from our Founding Director, contributing writer Chris Thompson, and various guest writers.
2. Morethanisms podcast a series created by Calvin Eaton that unpacks social and cultural issues that impact black and non-black millennials of color.
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4. Check out our on-demand class library to learn about structural racism, environmental justice, and more.

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