It is now.

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It was an afternoon on a Saturday, and I was indoors reading an article that popped up on my phone's browser. I heard a knock on the door and to my surprise, it was Nnamdi that I found standing at the door. I couldn't believe such a visit this time, as it is rare, knowing that Nnamdi lived very far away, so I consider it an August visitor.

“My Gee,” he said, smiling and shining his bulgy eyes as usual.

“Nnamdi, good to see you, and how come you are coming to pay me a visit and you did not hint at me first, you are welcome and lucky too that you met me at home,” I replied with a hug.

As he entered, he said, “It is breezy everywhere as the weather changes this year. Dishing it cold . Some information got to me that the sun is farther away from the earth and the cool breeze will continue till September” as he gets closer to show me the source of his information which is on WhatsApp.

“ I have heard of something like that before. Have your seat, friend, and make yourself comfortable,” I replied, going to the opposite side of where he was seated.

“Let's enjoy the time as it lasts.” I said, bringing out a mug and dropping it on a table centered in the room, in which he picked the mug to serve himself a drink on the table, ‘Dark Rum’. I continued sipping a cup of coffee, which I was using to pass the time while reading, before he came. Its caffeine couldn't be denied as it gives me the energy and momentum of the present.

“Let's go under the mango tree outside so we can feel the breeze, and have a good time,” he suggested, and we went out to use the shade of a mango tree as an advantage. We sat on a wooden bench, with our drink and watching the sun dip beyond the horizon.

Although it has been a while since we last saw each other, I know he was living in a sophisticated area of Lagos, so the visit will be a short one.

Nnamdi broke the silence.
“Oye, do you ever feel like you’re missing out? I mean… you’re here in this rural area living this slow life, when there’s a world out there buzzing with ambition.”

I smiled as I looked at his eyes, calmly like still water, knowing where he was heading.

“I used to think like that, but now, I know I’m living my best time. I’m where I’m meant to be at present and grounded. That’s all I ever prayed for.” I replied.

Nnamdi chuckled.
“You sound like a monk. I still dream about owning a tech firm, having luxury cars, and maybe living in Dubai. Every day I see it in my mind.”

“Dreaming is good,” I replied gently. “But are you enjoying it now? Are you living it?”

“I don't know if you don't see bad things or you do but don't like to explore negativity” He replied as he changed his concentration from answering the question to me and later his mug of drink.

“ I do,” I answered jokingly, knowing that a matter of the heart would be spoken out of his lips, which needs views from both sides to juxtapose the present state of mind.

Nnamdi leaned back, his brows furrowing. “Honestly, no. I wake up chasing deadlines, trapped in comparison. Always thinking, ‘When I get there, I’ll be happy.’ But ‘there’ keeps moving.”

“Nnamdi”, I said, “look at it from a perspective of living and dreaming. I illustrated, and he moved his concentration back to my cup of coffee, frowned, and raised his right eyebrow to look at me as I continued.

“Living is present, and dreaming is wishing. If you continue to wish that bad things should not be so and want it to be good as soon as possible, will it change anything at that time? No it won't change anything but instead, it will put you in a state of hoping, longing and sometimes frustration or impatient will take you up at that present time but living with the fact that things are bad and to accept it and live to gratify the present time gives you a feeling of joy, satisfaction, peace and confidence” I said.

“You’re dreaming your best time while I’m living mine. My joy isn’t waiting for the future, it's right here, in the smell of the earth after rain, waking up every morning, and being in this moment with you.” I concluded.

Almost spitting out his drink from his mouth due to a shambolic laugh that gave way from his heart he replied, “ I haven't got to my final destination yet, and I am still dreaming of the best life I have yet to have. How can I have the peace of mind you claimed?

I replied. “Will complaining bitterly change the state you are in and for me?” I stated, “ I am having the best times of my life now ”.
He spat his drink out of his mouth with hiccups this time around after hearing the statement and said, “What did you mean by that?”.

“Are you telling me that you have attained your prime perfection? Don't give me the 'having the best times' claims',” he said frantically, and I smiled at him and said. “ It is not about perfection, I am already walking as my highest self” I concluded as he kept looking at me in a confused state.

Are you lost?” I asked, noticing the fact that he was lost somehow.

“If you are lost, you had better go find yourself” I concluded sarcastically.

Nnamdi sighed and continued looking at the environment we were seated in.
“I envy your peace, Oye. Maybe I need to stop racing and start living,” he stated.

I smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“It’s never too late, my Gee. The best time isn’t a place. It’s a choice. You can live it today.”

Nnamdi replied after keeping mute for a while, “My Gee, are you insinuating that I have been so long chasing dreams that I forgot how it felt to simply be, to be present, content, and alive in the present time. He concluded.

“I never said that, I am just telling you my perspective. I replied to him and we laughed together before he headed back home.