Last week I went on a late afternoon hike to a place I have been before. It’s about three miles up and back—not too long, but full of amazing scenery.
I got up to the top of the trail where I could look out and see miles and miles of forest all the way to the snow filled peaks of the cascade mountains.
I sudden thought came to me; “What have I been thinking about for these last 1 ½ miles?”
The answer surprised me. “Nothing.”
Well it wasn’t really nothing, but I was so caught up in the hike itself, enjoying the scenery, moving one foot in front of the other over rocky parts of the path, and taking some amazing pictures that I hadn’t really been thinking about other things in my life.
I was in the moment.
I was enjoying each second of that climb.
Always hold fast to the present. Every situation, indeed every moment, is of infinite value, for it is the representative of a whole eternity.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
There are so many things to worry about in life—our family, our job, religion, politics, chores around the home, social issues, that sometimes we really need to let go and just enjoy the moment we are in.
We need to let our mind take in the beauty of what we are doing. For me getting out in nature helps to accomplish that. Taking in the wonders of the world that God has created for us helps me to focus and find clarity.
Rather than letting our minds wander to a myriad of problems or future things we have to do, let’s enjoy where we are at.
Take a deep breath, relax, and live this moment to its fullest.
Inspirational Musings of Mike Shelton 