‹ Back

 

"Be Where Your Feet Are"

"Be Where Your Feet Are" -- that simple phrase struck me unexpectedly when I first heard it. Though it sounded funny and obvious at first, I couldn't shake the thought. What did it really mean?

 

At first glance, it sounds like ancient wisdom passed down through generations—meant to be grasped, lived out. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how deeply it resonated. But instead of jumping to conclusions or looking up its origins, I decided to spend some time with it and sit with the idea and reflect on its implications for my own life.

 

The message of living in the present became especially clear during a drive with my wife to enjoy the beauty of the fall leaves and the sunset at a local beach. The colors were breathtaking. As we were driving through the assortment of trees as we were leaving town, my wife remembered she hadn’t heard back from our daughter. She reached for her phone to send a message but stopped herself and remarked, “Wait, I can message her later—I don’t want to miss the colors.”    

 

In that moment, I felt the power of a simple, intentional choice. It perfectly captured the idea of being present—of being where your feet are.

 

Just the next day, I came across another concept that seemed to complement this idea: "We don’t consciously think about picking up one foot, then the other. We think about the destination, and our feet just take us there." So we need to be thinking about our destinations. Steven Covey, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, in an other popular cliché, implores us to "begin with the end in mind" and focusing on the future is normal because it's pretty clear that "a goal without a plan is just a wish" (attributed to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry).

 

This highlights a tension: How can I live fully in this moment while also planning for the next?

It really seems like these two ideas—living in the moment and planning for the future—are pulling in opposite directions. Can we move toward the next moment while being fully present in the current one? Are these concepts in conflict? Can they be complementary?

 

Living in the Present

Living in the moment is about fully experiencing what’s happening now—whether it’s savoring the beauty of a magnificent sunset or sharing time with loved ones. My wife putting down her phone so she wouldn’t miss the colors was a perfect example. In being present, we deepen our connection to our surroundings and the people in our lives. It’s an act of honoring what is, of paying attention to the richness of the moment.

 

Planning for the Future

On the other hand, planning and setting goals are vital. Just as we don’t consciously think of each step we take when walking, we often focus on where we’re headed. Planning gives our lives structure and purpose—it’s how we shape our days, careers, relationships, and personal growth.

The idea of “good destinations” resonated with me here. It’s crucial to think about where we’re going, but if we get too caught up in the destination, we miss out on the beauty of the journey. Maybe the real question is: How can I fully experience each step, knowing it’s leading me to a place I value? In this way, presence and planning aren’t in conflict; they work hand in hand. Each step has meaning because it’s aligned with where we want to go.

 

Bridging the Tension

What if being present in each moment sharpened our vision for the future? By fully experiencing the now, we can gain clarity and energy that actually help us plan for what’s next. It’s not about choosing between living in the moment and planning for the future—both can serve each other.

These ideas may sound like clichés, but there’s a reason they endure. Sure, they might seem like something you’d see printed on a coffee mug, but there’s real wisdom behind them. They only become clichés when they’re mindlessly repeated, stripped of their deeper meaning. When we reflect on them, they offer enduring insights that speak to the challenges and aspirations of modern life.

 

“Be where your feet are” isn’t asking us to neglect the future or stay stagnant. It’s about living fully and intentionally in the present, trusting that our future will unfold naturally as we take mindful steps. It’s a dance, where presence and planning flow together.

 

A Trifecta of Clichés

This is where a third cliché comes in: “The joy is in the journey.” It unites the wisdom of presence with the forward-looking nature of planning. When we focus on both the steps and the destination, we find fulfillment not just in reaching our goals but in the process itself. The journey becomes a source of joy in its own right, where every moment along the way matters. By embracing this perspective, we can savor both the progress and the present, knowing they’re deeply intertwined.

So, maybe the real takeaway is this: Living in the moment and planning for the future aren’t mutually exclusive. They’re interwoven threads of a thoughtful, fulfilling life. When held together, they help us experience life more fully, both now and in the future.

 

How can you begin to embrace both the journey and the destination in your life? Maybe it’s time to simply be where your feet are but take your next step with intention and hope.