Being present

"The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

I've been thinking a lot about mindfulness lately - the practice of being present in the moment. As someone who, like many people, can feel anxious about life's challenges, it's been really helpful to practice awareness and start to shift my mindset. The teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk, have been influential. He has said, "the present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it." This quote deeply resonates with me as I've found moments of pure joy in simply observing the world around me.

Think about times when you were happy and joyful. What were you doing? Were you dwelling on the past or anticipating the future? Or, were you doing something in the present moment? Whether it was the simple act of petting a cat, celebrating a friend's birthday, touching down in a new city, indulging in chocolate cake, diving into a new book or savoring your first sip of coffee on a beautiful Saturday morning with the sun streaming through your window - these moments matter.

It seems in today's fast-paced world, the pursuit of happiness is a common goal. Thich Nhat Hanh's words reinforce the idea that happiness isn't a distant goal but something we can experience in the present. By being present in the moment, we can unlock the potential to find joy in the little things around us. In appreciating these moments, we can then realize that happiness isn't a destination but rather part of the journey that can be experienced right now.