Be in the Moment...

As the month of January closes, three thoughts come to mind that I’d like to share with you.

·        Wherever you are, Be There.

·        I get to!

·        Let go of “that”… 

Wherever you are, be there. 

I have been striving to BE IN THE MOMENT, to really be where I am, in presence and in heart.  There are times that we are physically present with our kids or our spouses, but our minds, our thoughts, and our attention wander elsewhere. I don’t want to miss out on the things that are right in front of me and I realize that those who are most important in my life deserve my full attention when I am with them.  This is applicable in ALL situations of our lives.  Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, with whomever you are engaged…be there, FULLY.

I get to!  

This thought is a big one for me.  Years ago, I watched as the health of a dear friend of mine deteriorated until the disease she had been stricken with took her life much too soon.  I can still hear her voice as she answered a question I had posed to her as she sat in her wheelchair one afternoon.  My question had been a simple one, inquiring of what was most difficult for her and how I could help.  Her response touched me in a way I had not expected and has forever changed my heart.  She had one little boy that she adored, with the progression of her disease, her days of playing with him had changed.  As she pondered my question, her eyes looked upward, a smile crossed her face and then a tear welled in the corner of her eye as she told me how much she missed being able to sit on the floor and play with her little one.  She still did all she could with and for him, but life had changed for her.

 For the next several weeks, I rolled on the floor with my babies, I played Legos and Barbie’s every time I was asked; I was consumed with the time I had taken for granted and wished to capture every second of the time I had with my beautiful children.    

I also changed my thought pattern…I get to make breakfast for my kids, I don’t have to.  I get to take them here and there and everywhere, I don’t have to.   I get to do math with 5 or 6 kids all at the same time while they are all at differing levels, I don’t have to…I made this choice and I get to!  Having this pattern of thought helps me to be more grateful and aware of the blessings that surround me.

Let go of that…

“That” being anything you cannot control, change or fix.

Why hold onto these things any longer?  Let them go…let the happiness and the peace in.  We already hold so many things that we are responsible for, allowing ourselves to let the things go that just weigh us down unnecessarily is a gift we owe to ourselves.

My hope for each of you is that you focus on the things that bring joy to your lives.  Wishing you a month filled with magical moments!

Stacey