Have you noticed how tough it can be to stay in the moment? I have.
I notice how intentional I plan to be, and how present. And then I notice how much I’m dwelling in the past, or dreaming about the future, or worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet and probably won’t.
Then I stop, and breathe, and look around me. I’ve got plenty to notice right here and right now. Plenty to take my attention, plenty to smile about, plenty to fill me up.
When I stop and breathe, and am really in this one breath, I feel the calming sense throughout my whole body. I feel everything relax. I feel more present. I feel more at ease.
I have a lot of things that can take me away from now, right now. I have the “care meeting” at my father’s nursing home this afternoon. The fact that I’m heading for Spain for vacation with my daughter this evening. The list of to-do’s that has to happen before we fly out.
But right here, right now, I have this breath. I have this moment. I have this peace. The sound of the clock ticking and my fingers hitting the keyboard. The foggy mist outside the window. The cool icepack on my knee. The cars driving down the street.
There is plenty in this breath and in this moment to keep me here. To notice. And if I can strengthen my “being here” muscle as I sit at my kitchen table and type, then I can most likely be more present for everything else. For my father’s care meeting, when the best of me is most needed. For my week in Spain, when I want to soak in and up every moment.
Can I be in this breath – this one – right here and now?
I can.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!
