How many times do we look forward to an event or even just go through our day and almost miss it? Miss it because we are so busy thinking about tomorrow, next week, next month or even next year. We are so worried about what is to come that we fail to enjoy what is right in front of us.

We spent this weekend with friends, where I really made a conscious effort to be in and enjoy the moment. The conversation, laughter, sharing and pure enjoyment of being with them. I didn’t write. I didn’t think about work. I didn’t even think about what was coming up for the next week. For that weekend I was just living in the moment and it was magical.

Life is sometimes hard with all the responsibility we have. The things we can control often make it hard, while the things we have absolutely no control over often makes it even more difficult. We spend so much time planning and executing that moments slip by us that we don’t have an opportunity to regain. If we take the time to enjoy them, it is those unexpected moments that arise that become moments that create those memories that last a lifetime.

I often hear others (and myself) say they can’t believe how fast time is going by. Here we are in June with 2018 almost half way over. If I look back over the last six months, I can point to events that happened that I sailed through with out taking the time to just stop and be. Events where I was so focused on what was going to happen that I failed to enjoy what was happening. Because of that I made a conscious effort to be more present in the moment. The reward of doing that is wonderful.

When you take the time to live in the moment you learn new things about yourself and others that may have previously been words flying by. You see things that you have never seen before. You gain new understandings about people and situations because you take the time to evaluate. You build better friendships and relationships with new foundations from which you can build.

If I think back on what I did this weekend, I can remember every conversation and activity in detail. Two days seemed like a week vacation because I took the time to be present and enjoy. As you go throughout your day today, look for those same opportunities. Be present in the moment. Live life one moment at a time as it was meant to be. That doesn’t mean you can’t plan for the future. What it does mean is that you won’t miss opportunities that arise that can make your life even more special, because you choose to live in the moment.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron