The contemporary philosophy of mindfulness stresses the need to live in the here and now.  Since the human potential movement of the 1960s, life coaches, gurus and social philosophers have emphasized the ideas of living in the moment.  If Baron Pierre de Coubertin were around today, he would point out that they were advocating the ancient philosophy of Hellenism, a way of being that concentrated fully on the present life.  The baron held Hellenism in high esteem because it provided—in the context of modern sport and Olympism—a contrast to the other major religions of the western world, which were focused on the rewards of the afterlife.  Today’s quote comes from a passage from a long speech titled “Olympia,” that the baron delivered in Paris on March 6, 1929.  The full text of the speech, one of the baron’s most philosophical, appeared in Le Sport Suisse in July of that year.

“Here we are touching on the bedrock on which Hellenic society stood. Let me explain by citing this passage from volume two of my World History: "Above all, Hellenism is the cult of humanity in its present life and in its state of equilibrium. Let there be no mistake about it, this was a great novelty in the mentality of all people and of all time. In all other places, cults were based on aspirations for a better life, on the notion of recompense and on happiness in the beyond, as well as the fear of punishment for those who had offended the gods. But here, it was present-day existence that constitutes happiness.”