Living in the moment

Life can be filled with so much stuff. There is work, family, friends, church, social events, sporting events, volunteer work and the list goes on. No matter who you are there are so many things biding for our time that it is hard to be present and in the moment. Have you ever caught yourself having a conversation and then having to ask them to repeat it all because your mind was a million miles away? Whether in mind or body, it can be hard to be present and living in the moment, yet that is the place we find the most fulfillment.

If we are the most fulfilled when we are in the moment, why don't we do it? It takes us being intentional about it to make it happen. It has been raining a lot lately and a week ago I was caught in a downpour so bad it soaked through my jacket and my shirt, just running from the door to Tim Hortons to our car. When I was younger I would live for rain days. The coolness of the rain, the freshness it brought to everything. I would stop and let the rain pour down my face, soaking my hair and I would just be in that moment. Some of you may not like rain so you can't relate, but you can soak in the rays on a sunny day too. For you snow lovers out there, I remember a time when I was living in BC and it was snowing, giant snowflakes and the lights were orange and the sight was dazzling. My husband and I were so mesmerized by it we just wanted to stay in that moment.

So how do we experience that same kind of wonder, when we are going about the tasks in our every day life? Some people celebrate their accomplishments, small and large. This keeps them in the moment but still focused on the task at hand. Others, take a quiet moment in the midst of a busy day. Even in the middle of a conversation instead of getting distracted with your to do list, be present and listen to what is being said. It is amazing the nuggets people share when you are paying attention. No matter where you are or what you are doing, being intentionally grateful for people in your life or for the experience you are having can do so much to help you live in the moment. We live too much of our lives in our heads, going over worst case scenarios and letting our negative thoughts take the driver's seat, it is time to change that and live in the moment every day!