One part Christmas, one part Buddha-ish, two parts LOONY!

I read something this morning...I read two things, actually. (If we're really being honest here, I have read A TON this morning-I get up at like 3am,often, and have a racing mind ready to take on the world and learn new things. Then I crash from exhaustion when it's time to follow through!! It's a joke the universe plays on me that I haven't quite figured out.) One of those memorable readings included, "if you have one smile to give, give it to those you love"-Maya Angelou. Then, I read a wise, relaxed sounding blogger describe how to take in each day with your children;to watch them, observe them-breathe them in and take in every moment of their fleeting childhood and growth. Now, I have been studying Buddhism, meditation, yoga-all things glorious and mindful and positive for years but being in the PRESENT is just one thing that this American born, city girl has never managed. I AM Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love watching the clock in the meditation room...."whew, ONE MINUTE-IT FELT LIKE ONE HOUR" is my daily exhale in my practice! These online thoughts just really rang true today-they made sense. It's fitting that this A-HA moment came to me on July 25, Christmas in July-feeling the power of the simple things in each day, really is a gift. (I refuse to put "present" and give into the pun that is just desperate to be written in!) I love the way my boys' new haircuts look all catty-whompus in the morning (it's not a cowlick when it takes up 1/3 of the head, so what IS it?!) I love and envy how wide their eyes are in the morning-excited, eager...and this is done without cucumber slices or eye cream!!! I watched them eat breakfast and push their plates away with food on it saying they were full-now THAT is something I need to watch and learn from! I listened as they played LEGOs, fighting imaginary creatures and using a bit more force with those little yellow, plastic hands than I feel comfortable with...and that's when the moment ended! So, I began my day being 'Present in the Moment', maybe I'll end it with a One Minute Meditation-but this feeling of gratitude and peace will stay with me throughout the day..and hopefully tomorrow! Merry Christmas-in July!

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