Live In The Moment
I know this may seem really elementary but it came to me the other day as my husband and I were leaving a beautiful marriage conference…
It was still early on Sunday, as the last day of the conference was short and sweet. We were headed to grab lunch and spend the rest of the day soaking up all we had learned over the three days and enjoying what last bit of the weekend we had together. As we drove down the gorgeous scenic desert road, away from the breathtaking hotel that hosted us over the weekend, we were barely five minutes down the road and I was already mourning the end of our extended weekend and dreading returning to “normal life”. Sure, we still had the afternoon ahead but now I’m thinking of the laundry that didn’t get done, what the next week ahead looks like and now I have a dozen book suggestions from the conference that I can’t wait to read but with what time?!
In no time at all I went from the micro level– the dreaded “Sunday scaries” to the macro level– “Where has the time gone? I’m 30 and life is passing me by!”
Mind you, I can go from 0 to 60 in no time so even though we just spent a great weekend together to grow and better our marriage intentionally, I still couldn't shake the feeling (a feeling that on occasion catches me off guard somehow) that I’m losing my grip on life; time passing me by and once it’s gone, I can’t get it back. As though you try to cram it all in but there’s never enough time no matter how hard you try… Do you ever feel that way? Like time controls you, not the other way around…
As it began to pile on, I stopped… I didn't want to waste this moment by getting too far ahead of myself….
Then the thought came to me– “How about I just take in this moment, right now? And then an hour from now, take in that moment…and the next, and the next.” Quickly, I was brought back down to earth.
But it’s no wonder I feel as though life is flashing before my eyes; I rarely stop to take in the moment– I’m always in the future! So I had to learn the lesson again– that I’m not going to think about tomorrow or next week and all the things I need to do; I’m just going to be in this beautiful, blessing of a moment.
If you take advantage of the moment it gives you the freedom to just let tomorrow be what it is and today will unfold as it needs to. When you’re not planning your next move you can just breathe. Sure it’s good to have a plan especially if you’re up against deadlines or have to adhere to some sort of schedule as most do but to take on each task, each encounter, one at a time and just be present in it. You may be surprised how it slows down time. Give it a try!
XOXO,
Tera