First name / Friend,
Earlier this month I got married.
It was awesome. I feel beyond grateful that I was able to celebrate in the way that I did, and cannot wait to spend a lifetime with my partner, Ben.
Since my wedding, I've been thinking about what I want to share with you about that day, and about my journey with love. There's a lot to say.
But for now, I wanted to address the one topic swirling around in my head during my honeymoon: the present.
By present, I mean living in the present moment. We hear about this topic all the time and can agree that enjoying the present is a good thing.
But the reality is, doing this is hard for most humans. Consciously, we know that embracing the present has many benefits, but it's much more difficult to practice in real time.
Even on my honeymoon, in one of the most beautiful places on the planet (Hawaii), and on one of the most precious trips of my lifetime, I find myself struggling to be in the now.
I'm worrying about not having the “perfect” trip, getting behind in work, falling out of my healthy routines, and feeling sad on my flight home. And that's the short list.
But the other day, I read something that has kept me centered during those tough moments:
“We're so focused on the future that we don't realize that today was what we prayed for years ago. Enjoy your today.”
What's significant about this quote is the core message - that the moment you're in right now is likely related to something you've been asking for (in some cases, for years).
And if you cannot relish the present moment, you may be ignoring a blessing that has come true in your life.
Can you imagine?! Seriously - let that settle in for a minute…
Let's say there was something you'd been wanting for a long time - to buy a home, find yourself in a healthy relationship, start a family, achieve a health goal, or find a job you love. And then years later, that thing happened for you. But instead of celebrating that thing and feeling grateful for it, you decided to fixate on the next shiny object and march ahead.
Thinking about that pattern breaks my heart. I refuse to be a person who does not celebrate the beautiful moments that unfold in my life. Especially the ones that I have prayed for, for a long time.
And to be clear - I'm not just talking about the “big” things like a honeymoon. It can be a quiet afternoon reading a book on the couch. Cooking a recipe from that new cookbook you ordered. Or a big laugh with a close friend.
So on this trip, when I am feeling anxious, I am pausing and doing two things:
1 - I am first noticing my present state, and practicing self-compassion. I am saying kind words to myself, and giving myself permission to be the imperfect human that I am.
2 - Next, I am identifying whatever it is that I have to be grateful for in the now. I am saying to myself out loud: “Margie, what is something in this moment that you've wished for, and what can you do to acknowledge it?"
Going through this process has helped center me when I'm having those tough emotions. As a result, I am able to experience more joy and peace with whatever I'm doing in the now.
As I write this message to you, I am looking at this view. And it's what I'm naming for #2. My heart deserves it, and I owe it to Ben.
First name / Friend - wishing you love, light, and a lot of gratitude for the one thing that deserves celebration in your life right now.
