Live In The Moment

Sunday I ran on the trails at a nearby park. It was a busy day there with lots of families enjoying the weather. One particular family caught my eye. It was a father with 3 kids. The kids looked to be having a lot of fun playing just off the path. The father though, did not. His face looked like he was annoyed. He was just standing there waiting impatiently and looked like he couldn't wait to be done. He wanted to be somewhere else.

All I could think about each time I passed them was the new creed in my life... Stay in the moment, live in the moment, etc. And it was so difficult to watch him because I know I've been that guy.

I don't know what he has going on in his life. We can never really know... what's weighing someone down. But it was difficult to watch because I just wanted to grab him by the shoulders and shake him and say, "Man, you're missing it! It's right there in front of you! Get in there!"

I know I can't say anything to him, and even if I did, chances are he's not ready to hear it. But... I can say it here to you. (aren't you lucky?)

So if you've been there, like him... fight it. Fight the urge to be elsewhere in your thoughts and worries. Stay in the moment in front of you and PARTICIPATE in it. Jump in and laugh with your kids or your friends or coworkers. These are not moments for you to stand back and observe. These are the moments for you to MAKE. Get in there and participate in your life. Not just the special moments, either. Be there in every moment - even the crappy ones. Look at the positives in each person around you, no matter who they are, and allow them to see the positives in you, and then make that moment more than just another minute gone by.