Living in the Present...

I am sure I am not alone in what I am about to say...many times I catch myself running from one event, household chore, child activity to the next and while doing all of this my mind is racing ahead thinking about what I have to do the next day, the next week, the next month, etc.....you get the picture. Of course, there are the other times when I am trying to turn my mind off (yes, go to sleep, just relax) and during those times I start to think about how I handled a work situation, dealt with disciplining the girls, how I could have used my time better at home last weekend, etc.....once again you get the picture. Many times I catch myself thinking and trying to live in the past or the future, when really I need to be focused on the PRESENT!!!

Entering 2013 I told myself that no matter what I need to find a way this year to joyfully live in the present.

1. I need to learn to enjoy the moments with my girls more because well, they aren't going to be little forever.
2. I also have to find more time to enjoy my husband.
3. I need to find time to do things for me (this one receives MAJOR neglect)
4. I need to find the things in my life that give me joy and make me feel alive (this being one of them). I have a lot to say and if others want to read great, if not that is fine too. Plus this blog is like a diary to me, my way of putting my thoughts down.

So those four items above are fairly all encompassing, but that is ok, I have 365 days to work on all of them (well actually 360 since today is January 5th).  How am I doing so far?

1. I am focusing on listening to my girls and be very present when they talk to me. I make it point to read and play with them as much as I can. Is it enough, not quite yet, but I am working on it.
2. I am working on being present with my husband, not just listening to him as I dart off to the washing machine or out the front door to go to work. I am trying to work in the time at some point each day for him and I to connect, just us, no girls.
3. I am blogging 2 entries in 5 days is not too shabby considering my past track record (2 or 3 entries at most in one year. Wow, one or two more entries and I will have a new yearly blog record...WHOA!)
4. Finding joy, last year was rough, heck the latter part of 2011 was rough too, there is no other word to describe it. Things are turning around now and I am finding joy in writing this, I am finding joy in others being kind to others, for the first time in a long time, I am smiling and it feels good, really good, almost joyful!

I hope all of my readers can live in the present in 2013, enjoy the moment, and be kind and nice to others!

Till next time!