One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the last few years is that when I am truly present in every moment, I experience life in a much deeper way and I’m open to finding joy and beauty wherever I’m at. Some days being present comes easy, but other days I have to work hard to recenter myself and be in the moment. This week was one of those weeks where I struggled to find my balance and live in the moment.
Assessment weeks are always hard because I’m on site at the client from Monday morning through Friday around noon. This week was harder than usual due to some unforeseen circumstances so I was really happy to be heading home on Friday afternoon. After fielding a few phone calls, I arrived at the airport and was ready to settle in and wait for my flight. As I was walking to the counter to check in, I saw the above banner and it was an amazing reminder of how I am choosing to live my life.
Do Things That Matter to Your Heart
Work is an important part of life because it keeps food on the table and a roof over my head, but work can no longer be the sole focus of my life. I lived that way for too long and I missed out on a lot of joy because of living this way. I’ve been making a conscious effort to spend more time with my kids, take time to relax, and to live in a joyful manner. Last Sunday, when I arrived in San Diego, I took time to go to the beach and watch the sunset because there is nothing like a California sunset and I am in awe of the fact that so many people head to the beach to watch the sunset. I also make time to spend with my dogs because they bring me so much joy and love and ask so little in return. When I choose to live in a heartful manner, life is just better.
Be You
I am the only one who can be Me in this great big world. It took me a really long time to realize how unique I am and that it was truly okay to be myself. I spent way too long twisting myself into knots trying to fit my now ex-husband’s idea of what a perfect wife should be and my mother’s idea of what a perfect person should be. Both of them believed that the perfect me was someone who took care of everyone else and had nothing left to give myself. Living that way for 22 years left me a shell of a person and it took me a while to figure out who I was, but now I choose to live for myself. I don’t care who thinks I’m too old to drive a red sports car or who thinks it’s too late for me to go to graduate school. I’m choosing to live life on my terms and I’m a lot more authentic because of those choices.
This is a Good Moment, Don’t Forget This Moment
I loved that this sign was in an airport, because airports are transitory places that we’re always rushing through to get some place else. It’s so easy to miss big chunks of our life because we’re in a hurry to get somewhere else. Reading this made me slow down and focus on the moment. I focused on the way the light was coming through the window, I focused on being kind to the customer service reps, I focused on just being present right where I was. After security, I went to a restaurant and focused on eating my Poke. Even though these were all very simple and ordinary moments, they mattered because our life is made up of moments.
Inspiration comes in the oddest moments and I’m glad I took time to notice this banner and to make this moment count.
Cairn by Cairn 