The world is on quite the roller coaster ride these days. The financial, health, political climates, and the actual climate are erratic enough to make the most optimistic among us feel anxious.  In this time of turbulence and change, we might wish that next arrives soon so we can move on. Yet there are those quiet, treasured moments. There are times to notice, feel grateful, and engage in the parts of your life that are uplifting and encouraging.

So this week, instead of writing a longer piece, I give you a few moments to enjoy. The next you were waiting for is here. Lean in to notice the magic present in each day. You might find it in a hug from your loved one, a sunny day, a new green plant that pushed up through the earth, or the comfort from a sip of hot tea. Next has arrived. Embrace and enjoy it.

What are you noticing about next? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to leave a comment and join the conversation. 

Oh yes! I’m sure you’ve heard this before. It’s not news that everyone has twenty-four hours each day. It doesn’t matter where you live or where you’re from. That fact is indisputable. Let’s assume that you sleep for eight hours a day. Sleep is essential for renewal of the mind and body. We need to use part of our day for rest.

After the eight sleep hours are deducted from your “time bank,” your remaining time each day becomes approximately sixteen hours. What we do or don’t do each day greatly affects the quality of our time and lives.

Are you a time savorer or squanderer? To squander is to waste something in a reckless manner, or allow an opportunity to pass or be lost. To savor is to enjoy, delight in, or appreciate something completely.

I’m not suggesting that you fill your time with constant activity. We all need unscheduled time for not doing. I am suggesting that you be mindful about your choices.

I offer you this quote from an unknown source . . .

“Time is precious. Waste it wisely.”

What is your relationship to time? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!

I’ve always been a working mother. That helped me learn how to juggle many hats, be more flexible and find joy in the moments. Especially when our daughters were young, life was particularly hectic. Now that they’re both in college, the daily schedule isn’t as filled with their schedules, but juggling, flexibility and joyful moments are still very much part of my life.

Recently, our girls came home for their winter breaks. I worked some, but also took off time to spend with them. For those of you that have college-aged kids, you know that their hours are quite different from most parents. They stay up very late and sleep even later. There are frequent comings and goings between visiting friends, running errands and taking day trips. With our different schedules, it was important to grab time with them when I could, even if it was brief.

When I think back to the girls’ winter break, it was full with wonderful memories of both short and extended exchanges. Time together sometimes included a car ride and conversation on the way to an errand. Sometimes the moments were longer when we had leisurely meals together. This beautiful collage included walks in the snow covered woods, sipping tea and coffee at assorted cafes, snuggling and watching movies, grocery shopping, cooking, listening and dancing to music, visiting family, having friends over, laughing, donating blood, going to our favorite cupcake shop, getting lots of extra hugs and seeing our girls enjoying each others’ company.

Our lives are made up of moments. Joy is present if you allow yourself to feel it. What moments have you recently enjoyed with your kids? I’d love to hear one or two of your favorite memories.