Such a simple notion, why are those the ones that I want to complicate? Be present, in the moment, attuned to what is happening now. Be present in my body–pay attention to the sensations and the feelings. This past Saturday I had the opportunity to go hiking on a path that I frequented with friends and family while growing up. I had not been on that path in over ten years which means that the last time I hiked this path I weighed about 160 lbs. more than I do now. Talk about being in the present. I was keenly aware not only of the path I was hiking but how my body felt. Yes, it was much easier but even more than that I noticed I did not spend the majority of the hike thinking about what was coming ahead in fear of how difficult it would be. I wasn’t distracted by chaffing going on in between my legs because they don’t rub together any more. Don’t get me wrong I am no fitness guru now. I do exercise every day as an amends to my body, but I will not be in the iron man anytime soon. What is funny is that as I walked the path I was remembering the times in the past when I walked there and the interactions I had with others so while my body wasn’t taking me out of the present moment, my mind was. Not that remembering things is bad but the greatest moments of peace that I had on the hike were when I looked up at the mountains surrounding me and watched as the sun began to come across and light the path, illuminating all the saguaro cacti which have been there for years. It was almost like the scene in a “Peaceful Warrior” when you can see the hummingbird slowly flapping its wings–I took a breath and said Thank you to God for bringing me there and of course for the body that I presently inhabit. I find that those two things–my breath and a thought of gratitude are the quickest way to bring me to the present. There are so many things in our lives that call for our attention and the ironic thing about it, is that few of those are what is happening right now. Yet, right now, the present is all we have. If I dont’ stop and be with it, it is gone. Now, I can assume another one will come, but as I am sure many of you have experienced–there are no guarantees.
God, Creator of all the present moments I ask your help this day to be present. To be a gift to myself and to those around me by being in the moment I am in as much as I can for today. This is after all the season of gift giving, show me how I can be a present to myself and to those around me. Remind me when my mind strays to breathe and to be grateful for I know those will bring me back to you.
My prayer for you all today is the same, may you experience many present (God) moments today. Make it a beautiful one. Peace~Colleen
dailydatewithgod 
Leave a comment