STOPPING TO SMELL THE FLOWERS

Lately I feel like I've been so wrapped up in accomplishing the next task and trying to do too many things at once that I haven't been stopping to appreciate the moment.  Earlier this year, I told myself I was going to be more present in my every day life.  It seems like such a basic idea, but is much harder to put into practice.  I always look back on the simple moments so fondly, but these are also the easiest to let slip away.

Why is it that days past and days yet to come always have such a rosy glow to them that isn't quite apparent in the present?  There are certain moments, though, that even as you're experiencing them, you know that you'll remember forever.  I want to bottle these up and store them in a special place.  

When we were out of town this weekend, it was a wonderful reminder to just be present.  Don't think about work, the house being a mess, etc.  Just take in the beautiful weather and the wonderful company. 

As we were leaving dinner one night, I caught my breath looking around my surroundings.  The night was just beginning, and the day was quietly slipping away, leaving a warm halo around the newly budded flowers. 

When my friend pointed out a cluster of pink peonies growing by the sidewalk, which were the same type of flowers I had in my bouquet for my wedding, I suddenly found myself wanting to stop and smell them.  I wanted to see if the smell was still just as sweet as they had been on that day almost 6 years ago.  And they were.  If anything, they were sweeter, because I was experiencing them again and able to appreciate them in the here and now as they were in their full glory.  Soon their petals will fall and their smell will dissipate into the air.  Right now, though, they were here for me to admire and enjoy.  (And I was able to enjoy their smell all weekend, because my friend may have lovingly procured me a bud.  Thank you, Nicole:)

Even as I'm typing this, I'm reminded yet again how important it is to enjoy the journey and not get so caught up in getting from point A to B.  I started this post earlier today, sitting on our hard, straight backed stool at our kitchen island.  I just wanted to get a post, any post written.  I tried to write, but couldn't.  So I went into my sun room, and I put on a record I haven't played in a while, and I got comfortable on the couch.  If I don't enjoy the writing process and just am trying to make it through something as fast as I can, then why do it?  Looking through the window to my back yard, full of long green grass, I'm wondering why I don't type all of my posts like this.  This is nice.  I can watch the squirrels bounding through the lawn and see my poor little lucky clover plant in desperate need of water. 

Instead of depriving myself of a comfortable chair until I'm through with my "work", I should enjoy the entire process and experience everything going on around me.  Instantly, I find myself more inspired and less worried about just hitting the "publish" button. 

It's always nice to take a step back from your routine and remember what makes this life and this place so magical.  It was hard coming back from such a relaxing trip, but I do want to carry the thought with me that it's ok to take a step back and just look around myself once in a while.  When my husband talks to me, look up from my computer and stare into his eyes and really show him I'm listening.  Take a walk without my headphones and listen to the sounds of the neighborhood.  Stop and smell the flowers.

What about you?  Do you find it easy to enjoy the journey and stay in the moment?