Tonight, I lived in the moment… 20 to 30 of them, actually. I was immersed in my laptop, neck-deep in an article, when I realized it was almost eight o’clock on a beautiful evening and I hadn’t yet spent any time with the kids since Nana & Papa brought them home after their sleepover last night. So I tore myself away and invited my two oldest daughters on a bike ride. They were as thrilled as if I’d just suggested an impromptu trip to Disneyland.
Riding behind them, watching Savannah’s zealous, half-standing pedal and Abby’s yellow skirt billowing in the balmy wind, I felt that little jolt that comes when I am mindful, living in the moment, not racing from one task to the next but just allowing myself to enjoy the here and now. Admittedly, those moments are few and far between – but I’m working on making more of them, and appreciating and savoring them when they do happen. And let me tell you, cruising around the lake, hearing Abby’s sweet little-girl voice cry out “This is the best day ever!” was tons more rewarding than finishing that article.
Later, when the girls were having popcorn in the family room, I was in the midst of a packing frenzy (preparing for the move in 3.5 weeks) when Claire asked me to help her with her new Phineas & Ferb puzzle. My stock answer came automatically: “I’m not that good at puzzles; ask Daddy.” But John was busy sticking frozen corn down his pants (that’s another story), so Claire gave up trying to find a puzzle partner. “No,” I told myself. “The packing can wait.” I took a 10-minute break to sit next to Claire on the couch and work on the puzzle, letting her stick in every 3rd or 4th piece, until we completed it and exchanged a high-five. As she proudly showed her sisters and Daddy the finished product, I returned to my packing with a lighter heart.
Live in the moment. Not every moment. Maybe not even every hour. But at least a few times a day.