The Magic Of Being Present

Have you ever been in a normal moment and all of a sudden you have an epiphany feeling come over you and in that instance, you see the authentic beauty of everything around you? It’s magical…

So often we are rushing around in our day to day lives in task mode, moving from one thing to the next as we check it off our to-do list, merely going through the motions as we are trying to be massively productive. We are so busy that we miss all the little miracles happing around us.

It takes self-discipline and a desire to truly be present and “tune in” for us to see the real awe of the everyday things that our busy minds often look right past because our brains are conditioned to seeing the norm. What happens when we lift that veil, quiet the mind, and tune in? We allow ourselves to become enveloped in the beauty of the things that surround us, and in turn, we feel and experience massive gratitude for all the “little things” and are reminded how deeply we are loved by God.

I experienced this first hand a few days ago. I was sitting at my kitchen table working and heard my sweet puppies playing together and it caught my attention. I looked over at them and marveled in how sweetly innocent they are and how much fun they were having. I was spurred to laughter as Tillie, my little one, started fearlessly wresting Tank, who is double her size. They heard my laughter and both looked up at me…Tillie had the most expressive look on her face and her bright eyes pierced into my heart. Tank began wagging his tail and sticking his tongue out as though he was smiling, and in that moment, I was insanely grateful that they are my kids and was thankful for the ways they bring joy and laughter to my soul.

My eyes shifted and caught my decorated Christmas tree and I marveled…has it always looked that crisp and green?! Did that silver ornament always shine so brightly? My gaze locked onto an ornament that a dear friend gave me and I recounted the numerous hours we’ve spent together laughing and happiness filled my heart. To the corner I saw a handmade snowman I have displayed by the front door that was made by one of my former patients, a fiercely brave little girl who was battling cancer at the time. My mind instantly went to the day she handed me this snowman she crafted for me as she explained that she made the scarf to look just like the one I always wore, and how she made the earrings sparkly because I always wore sparkly earrings. In that moment, I remembered the feelings I had of being so proud of her for her courage, and it brought tears to my eyes at the thought of how blessed I was to be a part of her journey.

Overcome with emotion, I looked outside through the big window next to me and saw the beauty of all the leaves piled in the backyard, and sat there in awe that the seasons actually change and we get to see the beauty of God’s creation in so many forms. I took a sip of my peppermint hot chocolate and actually savored the taste on my palette and felt the warm sensation of it passing through my esophagus into my stomach. I looked up again, and looked around at everything in view and really saw it all as though seeing it for the first time. I was fully present, fully aware, and overcome with gratitude. 

Friends, life is too short to live each day on autopilot. I encourage you to take a moment out of your day to tune in, to be fully present in that period of time, to soak in the beauty around you, and to reflect on how incredibly blessed you are.

When we are fully present in the moment and are able to see through a clear lens instead of rose tinted glasses, we raise our vibration. We move into a frequency of gratitude and begin to live life to the fullest. We experience joy, and a peace in knowing that all things come together for our greater good. 

-D