When my first child was born, I was so overwhelmed and stressed out that I found it difficult to be fully present in the moment. Over time I got better at it, but I found that motherhood and its demands made it very difficult to be emotionally present. My mind was often on what needed to be done next, who needed to go where, what I had to pick up at the grocery store, etc. It’s unrealistic to think that one can be fully present all of the time, yet when we find moments in life to focus on those moments are even better.

Over the last few years, I’ve focused on being present to mixed results. I’ve reminded myself to get present as often as possible and when I am, I never regret it. Apparently it’s going to be a work in progress, but the rewards far outweigh the struggle. I rarely have all three of my children home at the same time anymore, so when they are I go out of my way to listen to the sounds of them through the house and revel in the moments when we are all in the same room together.

In May, my youngest child graduated from high school. My father and brother were in town, my other two children were home, and my house was filled with energy and joyful chaos. After the graduation ceremony, my husband, the three kids, my brother, father, in-laws, and I all went out to one of our favorite Italian restaurants for dinner. The restaurant was loud; our table was equally loud and festive. I sat at that table and stopped time for a moment.

I leaned back in my chair and I took in that moment, sitting with my favorite people, eating a wonderful meal, and celebrating a joyous event. I let myself be fully present to all of the emotions I was experiencing: joy, satisfaction, sadness, overwhelm, and pure happiness. Being present in that moment allowed me to both experience it and observe it at the same time. The feeling was indescribably wonderful.

I’m committing to doing that more frequently for both small and monumental moments. Life is too precious, too fleeting, and too wonderful to allow it to pass without noticing it as we go. My nest is soon to be empty, but my awareness is full and I am present to all that life has to offer.

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC