Love Every Moment

Each day we are given is made up of moments. Each moment may not be “special” but we can still Love Every Moment.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how our days pass by so quickly. Life truly is but a blink, and then it’s gone. You don’t realize this when you are young, living life by the seat of your pants.

Whether you are in college or just getting started in life, your 20’s really are your good-old-days. You should Love Every Moment even the stressful ones. Stresses & issues that seem so big will one day seem so small. You’ll wonder why you wasted so much time worrying over them. You’re making connections that will help you later in life at this age. As long as you don’t burn any bridges, you’ll rekindle those relationships later. So, go ahead,  live in the moment and love every moment!

One day you look back on your 30’s as a great time of really becoming that person you always hoped you be. You are more confident because you have experience. Decision-making is easier than before. Trusting your gut has become your normal. You may not realize who you’ve become, but if you are lucky, someone will bring it to your attention. Maybe you’ll look back and realize how far you’ve come and Love Every Moment.

Your 40’s & 50’s are a time of independence and reinvention. If you’re lucky, children are grown and you can begin to enjoy mid-life. It’s a special time to re-connect with your wife/husband without interruptions from the kids. Travel becomes easier and more enjoyable. Work should become a little more enjoyable. You begin to realize that people you work with are not a source of frustration as much as you use to think. You will begin to be more thankful for different things in your life you took for granite before. Hopefully you are slowing down your pace a bit too. Slower is not bad, it gives you a chance to love every moment.

How do I do it?

How do I love every moment?

Our minds have set patterns that determine how we think, react to, and experience each moment.  These patterns are set by our past experiences, our personality, and other similar factors. The best way to train your mind to love every moment is to start small. Here is a visual for you to better explain:

Think of a plant (any plant will do). Farmers, landscapers, and horticulturist know that if they want to straighten a plants stalk they need to give it support and encourage it to grow a different way. They may use a stick and tie a string around the plant to help it grow they way they want.  Think about those ornate flowers you can by at the store where several plants stalks are twisted together to give a visually unique and decorative appeal. Those plants did not grow that way naturally. Over the course of many weeks, someone gently braided the stalks together a little at a time. It wasn’t done all in the same day because the stalks would have broken off – it took time. Your mind can be bent to help you perceive the good all around you and be more appreciative and grateful. This allows you to love every moment!

You can teach yourself to love every moment by reminding your self of the good in each things that happens during the day.  Focus on the happy, the sweet, the calm, and the peaceful. I understand that in an overly busy life this can be a challenge, but it’s worth starting small. It will be rewarding in the long run. Here are a few ways to get started.

Gratitude is gratifying for the soul. It will produce happiness!

• • When you wake up in the morning, be thankful for a new day. There are many people who did not wake up and were not given this day.
  • Meditate in the morning. Even if you feel like you wouldn’t have time for this, give yourself 5 minutes each morning to think of at least 5 things you are thankful for. If you can keep this up, the morning may become your first moments you notice you are loving.
  • During the day, when you find yourself in a stressful situation, try to find at least one thing positive about what is going on. Here’s an example: If your boss is riding your tail about your performance, you could be thankful that you have a job, an income and a way to provide. Remember that your boss needs to keep their job too!
  • Evening time can be a busy stress filled time for parents and married couples. No matter what your situation, you can still love every moment. If you are tired but still have to cook supper, be happy that you have food to cook. If that doesn’t console you, be thankful for the people you are cooking for. Think of this time of serving those you love as enjoyment. These people may not always be available to you.
  • During the night while you are winding-down, take a look around. Don’t look at the things that need to be tidied up, but instead notice that you have a roof over your head and a place to sleep.

These are only a few suggestions to help you love every moment. I am sure you can come up with many more on your own.  If you can develop a practice of making yourself be grateful for the little things, you will find yourself with more contentment and a lot more happiness in life.  So, go ahead… love every moment and share with me how you do it in the comment section below!

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