It is that time of year when many of us are searching for that perfect gift. Consider for a moment the gift of time.  A quote from a book that I reread recently struck a chord and reminded me of the importance of taking the time to live more in the present appreciating the people, places and things around me.

Adults do tend to get absorbed in their to do lists and forget to stop and smell the coffee so to speak.  If you watch children, you will see that they are naturally so much better at seeing and enjoying the good things that are going on around them.  Until they are taught what is expected or accepted, they simply live in the moment.

For parents this can be a great gift that they receive or learn from their children.  This gift is about more than just practicing mindfulness to achieve greater happiness because “every time we are not fully engaged in the moment is time we have lost forever!”

I would like to share a treasured quote that I also recently rediscovered.  It used to hang in a prominent place on the agenda board in my kitchen.  Somehow over the years its prominence diminished, and its importance got ignored until it was covered up and forgotten completely!  I found it behind the calendar usually filled with a busy family’s agenda of events and activities.

It says, “THE POINT IS NOT TO DO REMARKABLE THINGS, BUT TO DO ORDINARY THINGS WITH THE CONVICTION OF THEIR IMMENSE IMPORTANCE.”  Worthwhile words of wisdom at any age!

As I prepare my traditional family photo display for this past year and file pictures away into old school albums, I quietly enjoy remembering the special memories captured in those images.  I know the idea of living more in the present is not a new one and I want to give full credit to authors who have professed this advice before me.  But it is an idea that resonates in my mind and heart more frequently now.  So, there must be truth in the saying that wisdom comes with age because in our younger busier lives this is advice that we often ignore and rarely take.

Since my retirement this past year I am frequently asked what has been the best thing about retiring?  My response is always the same.  I have been given the gift of time and more sleep!  Both have been so valuable because of their restorative nature physically, mentally and spiritually. Proof of how much more balance and perspective I might have gained sooner in life if I had slowed down and just enjoyed a few more precious moments each day.

I must admit sometimes when I look back over old photos and think about past family events my memories are not as clear as I thought they would be. Perhaps I should have taken more time to savor those special moments when they were happening.  If I had not been so busy, maybe I would have participated more actively and recorded them more vividly in my brain. Or at least I should have taken time to write down more of my treasured memories.

Recognizing that some of the quieter endearing moments in life do make you feel happier, more content, effective and successful can be very enlightening.  Doing ordinary things is remarkably important.  Living in the present more gives your life meaning and influences those around you in a positive way.  Lasting memories are created from a variety of moments in time.  Consider what are the images and memories that you want your children to carry with them in future years?

I promised myself that I would keep this blog posting shorter so that you can take this moment to think about the importance of giving the gift of time to yourself and to the significant others in your lives.  The time you spend with your children or family will inevitably change and evolve but hopefully the nurturing and restorative power of these precious moments will not diminish in their importance.

Learning to be there and LIVE MORE in the PRESENT TIME appreciating the people, places and things around us is a gift that truly does keeps giving.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

Karen