"In the Moment"

Family breakfast

I’ve been thinking a lot about togetherness lately because of the holidays and because my sister and her family were visiting from Chicago.  We’ve been doing a lot of “things” together during there visit… talking, eating, sharing memories, and we’ve even spent a fair amount of time washing dishes.  We didn’t grow up with a dishwasher, so there is nothing that drags me back to my teenage self like standing at my mother’s kitchen sink doing dishes. 

The kids have also spent a lot of time snow skiing with their cousins and their aunts and uncles.   I’ve been reflecting on this and I’ve been thinking about just how special this is.  These ski outings are really the times that they’ll remember and cherish as they grow up.  “Remember when....” I picture them saying when they’re sitting around the table, much like my brothers and sisters do now.
 
 I’ve also realized that I am the most “in the moment” when I am doing things with my family – and by “in the moment”, I believe that means that I am truly happiest in those moments.  I have no desire to think of anything else – living in the past…nope.  Worrying about the future…eh, that can wait until next week when they’ve gone and I have less important things to do.

 
I’ve also come to appreciate and recognize those “in the moment” times for others.  I recently performed at a birthday party for an old friend’s young daughter.  There were three generations of family members shaking eggs, singing, dancing and rock ‘n roll jumping.  My heart was filled on that day for them because it was a family memory that they were making, and I could just feel the love and joy that was present in the music.
 
I’m curious about other times in which people are completely “in the moment”.  Is it on a roller coaster (not for me, thank you – I’m definitely living in the future….when am I gonna get off this thing!?!) , walking on a beach, at a family bar-b-que?  What’s your “in the moment” moment?

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