This is a time of year that we tend to get caught up in the past and the future.  We analyze what we did “wrong” last year and are determined to do “better” this year.  We set lofty goals for the upcoming year that are often forgotten by June.  So what’s wrong with this picture?

Life happens in the present moment.  If we focus on past “mistakes” or future “dreams”  we miss out on all of the richness of life happening all around us right now.

Some of us are so goal and achievement focused that we miss what is going on around us.  Children grow, friends and family die, dreams come and go and we wonder where time went.

If you are an empath or highly sensitive you may intentionally block out the world around you.  When light is too bright, sound is too loud and touch is painful the easiest way to deal with things is to shut the outside world out.  Been there done that.  It doesn’t work.

We always have the present moment, but how often do we miss it? We listen to the constant chatter of our mind and believe that is what life is all about.  Believe me it isn’t.

Take a minute and notice your breath.  Breathe in. Beathe out.  Can you hear your breath?  Can you hear or feel your heart beat?  What can you hear around you?  Are there birds singing you never noticed?  Can you see the bird?  If thoughts come up, and they will, set them aside.  Stay centered in the present moment and your breath.

This is not just something to do when we are meditating.  We can take it out into the world with us.  When we begin to stay in the present moment we will realize the joy and beauty of right now..  Be there with and  for those who accompany you on your journey.  Savor these moments.  Don’t let regrets of the past and worry about the future steal them from you.