Life is Now

Lífid er núna

On a recent trip to Iceland, I learned of an organization, Kraftur, who supports young people diagnosed with cancer. They teamed up with Vera Design to create jewelry to support the Kraftur cause.

Kraftur, in Icelandic, means power. Lífid er núna means “life is now”

I saw this information on the first day in Iceland and it couldn’t have been a better message for what I was in for for the trip.

During my time in Iceland, there were earthquakes, one a category 5.2, signaling an impending volcano eruption. The earthquakes were nerve wracking but what was scariest of all was a volcano erupting while on the island with no way to return home. There were so many activities planned so putting the anxiety aside, I did my best to enjoy the trip.

I could have shortened my trip and returned home without seeing all that I had planned to see. But the phrase, “life is now,” kept returning to my head. I couldn’t focus all my attention and energy on a natural disaster that hadn’t happened. I kept telling myself that my moment was now and right now, the volcano is active but no lava was flowing.

The volcano did in fact erupt and the anxiety returned but thankfully it was like the eruption last year and did not disrupt air traffic so I am now safe in my home.

We rob today of joy when we worry about tomorrow or fret about the actions of yesterday. Life is now! The moment to live in does not have worries because it is a moment that we can touch and see unfold.

I survived earthquakes and a volcano eruption in fear and still saw the beautiful sights in Iceland. I lived my moment and will try to do the same for every moment.

When life fills you will worry and fear, remember Lífid er núna.