Fall is officially here. This morning for the first time I can feel the crisp air and smell the sweet scent of rain on the pavement. I love it. This is my favorite time of year so I go out of my way to pay attention to everything around me in nature and cherish it. The changing leaves, the warm days, cool nights and light sprinkles of rain. If I could capture this moment in time and keep reliving it, I would. With that, it seems like the more I focus on enjoying the changing of the season, the faster it all goes by. I remember when I was young and everyone told me that time goes by fast, I did not understand it until now.
Recently it hit me. Memories that I think happened a few months ago actually occurred years ago to my astonishment (thanks Time Hop for popping up memories on Facebook and freaking me out). It's almost as if I've been an outside observer of my own life and have not been present for all that goes on. What I am starting to understand more than ever is that I can not wait to be happy or to enjoy life once I reach a goal.
I've heard so many people say it but I did not know it until now. This is it. This is the journey. All of the ups, downs, focus, hard work, enjoyment and fun is life. There is no goal to reach, no imaginary place to get to, only the here and now. Knowing that now is the only time, I am content with all that I do. It's inspiring to push myself and try something new each day because I always ask myself "if not now, when?". There is no other time.
The purpose of this post is not to scare you about the limited time you have here on earth but to remind you that life does move fast and you need to enjoy it now. The next time you start to question if you should do something ask yourself "if not now, when?". Your answer may just be, that "now is the only time, so do it!" Here is a great article I came across years ago on "The Value of Time". Enjoy!
Have any tips on how you stay present? Please share below, let's help each other out! Cheers to enjoying the present wherever you may be in your life.
Tip: Every morning (well most of the time :)) I try to drink my coffee in silence. No phone. Sometimes I will read or write but I stay away from electronics for at least 30 minutes to an hour. If it's nice outside I sit and listen to the birds chirp. Inside, I will listen to inspiring music or clean up a little area in my house so it looks nice and tidy.