When Time Flies
I remember the first time someone said to me, “It goes so fast,” when my oldest son, James, was a newborn. I didn’t believe them. I wondered how fast it could possibly go? At that point, the days and nights were blurring together as one, long, exhausting stretch of time. It seemed like I would never have a good night’s sleep again. We eventually added a second son and then a daughter, and now James is a freshman in high school. It went by so fast.
Since James started high school this fall I am hyper aware of the limited time we have left with him at home. I want to make everything count and at the same time, I am trying to manage a life that is fuller and busier than ever before. The stress of trying to make the most of our time together and managing our daily lives at the same time is mounting. Between notes and e-mail messages from three different schools, current events, and my own work, there is an incredible amount of stimuli coming my way. It almost seems like too much to bear at times. I know that most of my friends feel the same way.
As a student and teacher of yoga, I am also aware of the gift of being present in only this moment. I try to remind myself that the only thing to do right now is whatever is right there in front of me. I don’t need to rush, worry, doubt, or wonder “What if?” I only need to pay close attention to right now. It sounds so simple, right? It is actually a challenge for most of us to stay present and the danger in that is that we miss the moments fleeing by when we can’t get out of our heads.
The quickest and most reliable way to get present is to pay attention to your breath. Or, to notice how you inhale and exhale when you breathe. Tuning in to my breathing puts me right back in my body and grounds me in the present moment. Becoming aware of one’s breath and paying attention to inhaling and exhaling is a powerful practice. Breathing with intention can’t stop time from moving quickly or my children from growing up so fast, but it can keep me present in the moment in front of me. It can ensure that I’m not missing anything and making it all count to the best of my ability.
When I am present in the moment, I’m more likely to notice the freckles on my children’s faces and to appreciate the way their laughter fills our home. I know I will miss these things when the house is empty and quiet again someday. Life is not about who needed to be where or what needed to get done. It is about who is here, living right alongside me. While I am aware it is going by quickly, I cherish the gifts received in these fleeting moments.
My New Friend, Grief
With extraordinary honesty, Anna Hodges Oginsky shares how she experienced grief after the sudden death of her father. My New Friend, Grief: Reflections on Loss and Life tells the story of how Oginsky’s previous life experience shaped her understanding of death and loss. As she sifted through the broken pieces of her heart, she discovered that befriending grief would allow her to move through life in richer, more meaningful ways. My New Friend Grief brings to light the feelings and fears many of us face in grief, but hesitate to explore. As Oginsky reveals her personal insights into loss and life, we find a friend who affirms for us that, as we too grieve, we are not alone.
This book looks amazing. Living in the moment is definitely something I am trying to do more of these days.
What a great book. We definitely need to take time to appreciate the here and now. My kids are growing so fast before my eyes and my parents are getting older and older too.
I want to have that book, It’s so great to be enjoy and thankful for every minute
I will have to look for a copy of this book this week. The time really does fly by. Both of my kids are at College this year and it seems like yesterday they were babies.
It’s so easy to fog through the years when your kids are little because of the lack of sleep and toddler tantrums. I have two kids, 22 months apart so I know that feeling all too well. I have learned so much to really soak up each moment. I just kiss their little faces and just watch them sleep. I would love to read this book and even pass it along to some friends of mine.
“Life is not about who needed to be where or what needed to get done. It is about who is here, living right alongside me. While I am aware it is going by quickly, I cherish the gifts received in these fleeting moments.”
I love this passage– such important stuff to remember and yes most importantly remember to breathe and to soak in every minute of the time we spend with our loved ones because none of us ever truly know how much time we have.
I use that trick of tuning into my breathing sometimes. It does usually work wonders.
I would love to have that book. We really need to enjoy every minute of our life with people we love while we have them. Love you insights!
I am also hyper aware of how little time I have left with my daughter. As college acceptance letters are starting to roll in, I find myself panicking a little more each day. I’ll have to try your breathing technique. Also, the book sounds like a must read!
I so need this book in my life. I lost my father 9 months ago and it is still so raw. I love your insight on being present with your children too.
I think sometimes we forget to be present in the moment. That’s such good advice. I need to grab myself a copy of this book.
I love how you put that. Being present in the moment is slowing down and smelling the roses. Don’t take for granted the time you have with people.
This is a powerful book, I’m sure. Even the title calling grief her new friend. I have to check out this book.
Oh wow. This is definitely a book that I want to sink my teeth into. Grief is a part of all of our lives at some point, and we always run away from it as fast as possible.