What is a "moment"? I believe a moment is close to being the most precious gift we are given in this life. Those who are fortunate will have an abundance of  moments, the wise won't miss many. Knowing how to recognize and place value on a moment is all you need to begin enjoying and genuinely living from precious moment to precious moment.

   Enjoying a moment means really slowing down enough to actually see the beauty and joy in that which is commonly taken for granted. In creation, the eyes of a child, the touch of a friend, in finding peace with the world at large or within myself. To make the connection with another soul. Perpetual multitasking makes moments obscure-we are oblivious to the moment at hand as we notice very little when spread too thin. Over planning also blinds us as we are only concerned with the future. For just a little while decide to live only in the now and I think you'll see the what I am talking about.

   For a long time I believed those magical moments happened only on vacations or holidays, that I needed to work hard to set up everything just right. Making those memories with the kids and family when times were tight seemed to be a major draw on time and funds and nerves. Once I realized we have such a small amount of time actually for vacations and holidays, I was better able to focus on the ordinary days. With my eyes wide open I was free to look at the rest of our lives in a changed way.

   Moments began happening right where I lived and on any day of the week. Waiting for a special occasion moment would have meant missing lots of moments in between. Surprise! I noticed my son growing his self esteem almost daily. Surprise! I actually smiled as I followed the dance of a butterfly in my garden. I heard what I had been missing as a good friend shared her thoughts over a great cup of coffee. Slowing down to the speed of life made me acutely aware of all the moments I had been missing.

   Those days of too many errands and appointments and too little time used to be the norm for days on end. I still have hectic days from time to time but they most certainly are not business as usual. Shifting my perception of moments shifted my priorities allowing me to seize the moments zipping by. Life's little struggles are less frustrating when you know your "to do" list will never be done. The joy in my life went from the back burner to main event when I decided to live in the moment.

   Along with chucking the treadmill of bussiness, I also evaluated time consuming habits. For instance my hair. I get very little satisfaction having to use four products and 3 appliances on my hair just to be stylish. I have confidence I will have zero regrets about saving 4,000 hours I could have spent on my hair! The moments saved are valuable moments I spend making better friends with my cat!

   These moments to smile and laugh, to share of ourselves with those who matter are the golden moments in life. They are the only things we will take with us when we leave this life. I hope I won't miss many.