what do you do in your moments?

Ever hear the saying, "Live in the moment"?

I feel as though that's been a motto that keeps finding its way back into my mind lately.  It's funny, but I want to write blog posts on a regular basis - like once, maybe twice per week, and then I end up trying too hard to think of something to write about and of course, end up writing nothing.  I'm starting to realize that it's the topics that either creep up on me gradually, or the ones that I write because I'm fired up about some injustice in the world, that really seem to work.

So this time, it's one of those posts where I've been waiting around while the thoughts crawl through my mind.  I've let them worm around one another and go round and round again, and even now, I'm not sure if I'll get the thoughts out the right way in writing, but I'm going to try anyways because I was presented with a little bit of free time today.

It's living in the moment that many advocate for, but very few seem to be able to really do.   We get wrapped up in harping over the past or over-planning for the future, and then we realize that the future has come and gone right into the past without us ever really relishing the present.  The present can be used any way we want to use it.  We can be angry in the moment - mellow, thoughtful, rude, cynical, jealous, etc.  We can spend our entire present worrying about things that we can't do anything about in the future, or we can stew about regrets or other things that we can't change about the past.  The only time that we can ever really do anything real is in the present.

It could be argued that we can't ignore the past and that we would be setting ourselves up for failure if we were to avoid planning for the future.  This I agree with, but like anything, there has to be some sort of balance.  To live well in the present, we should be using things we've learned in the past to presently do and enjoy things that will move us in a good direction for our future.  If we do things in the present that are positive, we shouldn't have regrets in the future.  The past, present, and future all go together, but the only one that is truly a gift is the present. (yes, that pun was fully intentional)

So, here are some things that I've been doing lately that have really helped me to feel the gift of the present:

• Take a walk.  Really feel the way you body moves you along.  Be grateful that you have strong muscles that move you along and lungs that can breathe in air.  If you can't walk, do what you can to enjoy whatever motility you have.  
• Feel the sunlight on your skin.  Obviously it's not a good idea to lay in the sun for long hours at a time, but our bodies need a little bit of sunlight on a daily basis.  Be grateful for photosynthesis because without it, you'd be dead.
• Enjoy the smell of something delicious before you eat it.  Take the time to taste your food while you eat it.  
• Listen to the person talking to you.
• Just sit and think somewhere that it's quiet.  No phone, no music, no book.  Just you.  Maybe write things down.  
• When you're working out really hard, enjoy that burning feeling in your lungs.  It might hurt, but it's progress.  

Anyhow, I could go on and on about ways to really enjoy the moments of your life, but I'm not going to bore you with all of the ones that I've been thinking about lately.  What's important is taking time to really enjoy what's happening right now.  Be grateful for the present.