Life As It Is

I'm sitting here at a coffee shop drinking a latte while I watch the sun come up. The sky turned from dark to a pale blue with streaks of pinkish-purple clouds just above the horizon. Beautiful. I don't make it a habit to drive 30 minutes from my home so early in the day to have a cup of coffee. Today, however, my son had a field trip at school and needed to be there early. Very early. So here I am.

It's cold out on this March morning, but I know, even in Minnesota, March provides hints of springtime weather. A welcome release from the bondage of relentlessly frigid days. March can be cold, and is usually snowy, but it provides some warm, sunny days and slushy roads that say, "Here comes life, don't miss it!"

I don't want to miss one drop of life. It took me a long, long time, but I am learning to take life as it is. Instead of wishing this or that were better or easier, I try to enjoy the things I used to miss when I was busy looking for tomorrow, like the clouds, or the expression on my daughter's face when she plays the piano. Some things in life pass without notice when I'm too busy wishing, wanting.

Wishing for tomorrow is bad habit. Tomorrow, things will be better. Tomorrow, the pain will subside. Tomorrow, I'll get the house more organized. Tomorrow, the rain will stop. Tomorrow, my son won't be sick. Tomorrow, I'll hear from the publisher. Tomorrow, my life will be easier. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.

When my kids were small and there was a task I didn't particularly enjoy (toilet training, illness, nighttime wakings, etc.) I had to discipline myself to be in the moment. It was a battle of inner emotions. While I longed for the trial to pass, I didn't want to wish away the days I had with little ones.

Now the little hands that held rattles and blankies hold iPods and cell phones. The little feet that ran to greet me run out the door to meet a friend. The arms that used to wrap around me for snuggle time on the couch carry purses and backpacks and reach for the world. The hearts that belonged to me, daddy and a teddy bear are now crowded with hopes and dreams of college and adventure and life outside the walls of my home.

No matter. Things will change, they always do. I'm not concerned. I will simply live in today, take life as it is, enjoy the blessings that come during the rain and the flowers that grow afterward. I will live in today. I will enjoy it while it is here.

The sun is higher and the clouds are gray. My coffee has turned cold and it is time for me to plan my day. My mind drifts to my family.They are busy with life and doing what they do, without my help. I hope they are looking around and noticing the smiles amid the frowns. I hope they are living in today and taking life as it is. Tomorrow will get here. Nevertheless, here we are today. I will embrace it.

ENCOURAGEMENT: Live in the moment. While it's important to have goals, budgets, hopes and dreams, we can only live in each moment as it comes. Don't miss today by wishing for tomorrow.