Learning to be in the Moment

While talking to a friend recently, the subject of Spring Break came up. Our family has often stayed home during spring break in an attempt to avoid the risky weather patterns that often present along the coast in March. We tend to be late planners. My friend commented that it was going to be difficult not having their college age daughter with them for the first time. I assured her that yes, it is really weird, but you learn to have fun in a different context and it brings new possibilities. You really miss not having all of the chicks in one place especially on a family trip, but you learn to look to the future. It is so important to enjoy your young adults or children that are at home and hopefully your circle will grow. It is easy to get caught up in the “this will be the last Spring break, or the last summer vacation”, that you can become anxious. I caught myself doing this during summer lake trips on the boat. I found myself wondering how much they will remember of our fantastic times at Dale Hollow Lake.
What can you do to avoid the potential anxiety that change brings? Be in the moment. Appreciate the joy and opportunities before you. Perhaps you can begin participating in an activity or sport that you once enjoyed but drifted away from when the children were young. Get the motorcycle out and go for long bike outings. Jump on your bicycles and ride until you aren’t sure you will make it home before the summer storm comes. Ride past the scary deserted home that is supposed to be haunted. With no one at home, you can come in as late as you want, maybe even as late as midnight.