It was story time and I was ready to listen to my daughter read a few pages from her new book. I snuggled in close as she tucked her head against my shoulder and opened the cover.
As her sweet voice filled the room, and the pages slowly turned, my busy mind began to wander.
A guilt driven chatter about my day fuelling my thoughts.
Did I say the right thing? Did I do the right thing? Did I handle that well? What could I have done better? Did I mess up?
On and on it went, mind chatter about the past and all the while I was missing out on the glorious present.
Then Wow, I was gazing down at an exquisite illustration on the page and could not even remember this page being turned.
My body, my physical self was here and yet my mind was off someplace else.
I softly whispered “The moment is now and all is okay”.
As my senses returned I took in the smell of Miss Ten’s clean hair, I heard the animated character voices she now reads with as I felt her weight against my chest.
I became fully present and enjoyed a precious moment with my daughter as she cleverly read me a wonderful story.
Later that same night, I wearily climbed into bed. Instead of enjoying the crisp feel of clean sheets and hearing the gentle rhythms of my own breath I began an exhaustive dance with worry.
I lay there consumed with plans for getting it all done, conjuring up strategies to complete the next list as I worried about the decisions and actions of the future.
I was preempting problems, foreseeing issues and preparing myself for endless what ifs.
I was more concerned with the achievements of the future than the simple delights of the present.
Once again my body was here, desperate for rest and respite, while my busy mind was off someplace else.
I clambered out of bed, grabbed a pen and paper and quickly wrote down all my nagging thoughts, before safely tucking them away on my desk for the morning.
I then kindly repeated “All is okay in this moment.” and returned to bed.
I wriggled my toes, took a big, deep, restorative breath and felt my body sink down into the mattress.
Lulled off to sleep by the sound of my own breath, cocooned in safety and warmth as my husband lay beside me.
I truly was okay in this moment.
Whenever you feel yourself dancing with the guilt of the past or prancing with the worries of the future you are robbing yourself of the joys of the present.
Instead of becoming lost to the chatter of the mind remember these words.
This moment is my life
This moment is for living
The future will come
The past has been
This moment is mine and all is okay
Because this is your one great life and it is up to you to Lead it Fabulously.

Oh this is me more often than not. My late husband used to write things down before drifting easily to sleep. I should do that. Thanks for the reminder Karen. Too bad we aren’t in the same time zone – we could chat at 03:00.
Kelly, I learnt to write my worry list years ago, best idea ever for me.
What a great reminder! Life is busy enough – and planning sessions are when I can worry about planning. Right now is time to enjoy the present. 🙂
Kim, so so true…..planning sessions are for planning. I can see that becoming a mantra for me too.
Thank you for this post – It truly stated so many moments we lose when we are too busy thinking about the moments to come … I get so much from reading your blog, It is a pure delight!
~Kristine
Kristine thanks enormously, I love knowing you enjoy my words.
What a beautiful mantra! I’m definitely going to use that. I could picture myself cuddled up with my daughter during storytime as I read your words and know that feeling of mind drifting.
Thanks Tricia, none of us want to miss story time, particularly when we are actually there.
Good reminder. I think we’ve all been there at one point or another. I know I have. I’m going to try to be more mindful of it though.
Michelle that sometimes elusive moment of ‘mindful being’ is well worth creating.