Today while listening to a few CDs my sister lent me, I was caught by some of the lyrics. Granted, I don't listen to female angst artists, but they often have great poetic lyrics. Anyway, the lyrics that jarred me were from Beth Orton's Central Reservation (from the album of the same name).

It's like living in the middle of the ocean
With no future, no past,
And everything that's good about now
Might just glide right past.
I'm stepping through brilliant shades
Of the color you bring.
But this time, ths time, this time
Is fine just as it is.

And everything and nothing is
As sacred as we want it to be
When it's real. Make it real.

The central idea here is that old Buddhist concept of living in the present that I just like. But what was interesting to me is that this perspective of hers came about with the presence of another. This is somewhat odd, for whenever we are in a relationship, we can't help but think about the future (and a bit of the past).

Are you being aloof or dishonest about a relationship where you don't hope for a "Happy Ever After," but just a "Happy Right Now?" I made a promise to my a few years ago to always love her and to build a life together. Shared hopes and dreams. But there are a lot of expectations in that promise.

Can these two be reconciled?