Normally, as we all know, I start my posts off with a quote, but instead I will be closing with something you may have already seen in the form of an email forward at some point (no it’s not the Nigerian Prince who is asking for money, but perhaps one of these times it may be applicable), but it’s an interesting sentiment when you really start to think about the preciousness of time.  I just came back from a weekend away in Napa with the Wondertwins and some very dear friends. KSP ended up having to go away on business and so I invited one of my closest friends to join me as my partner in crime for the weekend.  Additionally, as it was initially a couples trip, it so happened that the wife of another couple who was joining could also not attend due to work responsibilities.  So in the end there were 5 of us plus 3 little ones who made the group who would take Napa by storm.  Overall is was simply lovely.  So many moments in time of laughter, funny quotes, cuddles with babies, sips of wine, poker with pistachios and hot tamales, learning about wine, good food and the warm fuzzy feeling in your heart where you know you have captured something truly special.  As I drove back to LA yesterday on my own with the Wondertwins, I watched as the sun came up over the valley (I left at 6:45 am, and if I do say so myself it was a very good call), I drove down the road with classical music playing for the babies (only to be interrupted every few minutes by the dancing monkey and Ke$sha coming from Q, but thank god for that monkey, at this point I think everyone should have one), and the sky turning from a purplish pink to a pure blue.  As I looked out onto the horizon I was taken back by the most beautiful sight of several hot air balloons floating on the roadway directly in front of me.  It was so very peaceful and I felt the moment of gratitude as I thought about the amazing gifts I had been given in driving with my beloved babies in the backseat and the amazing weekend I had just had with my very dear friends with whom I had literally shared laughter, tears, hugs, silliness and warmth all in a very fast 72 hours.  72 hours or 3 days.  Either way, so much had happened in this short amount of time and it got me thinking about how, because of all of you ,and in my new view on the world through the help of this blog, I could truly appreciate so many of the moments in those 72 hours.  I felt the purity of my enjoyment and for me this was a bit new.

In the past, my mind was always so busy, I think I often missed these moments or had crafted something in my head of what the moments should be or should have been, and instead this time I was truly able to take in each moment and appreciate it.  I know that I have said this before, and as my beloved highschool basketball coach used to say, it takes 7 days to form a habit (this was meant to inspire us as we were doing daily doubles and running lines (10-86-42) which often ended in some people heaving, not pretty but effective thus the goal of 7 days), I think that perhaps in this case, my habit has formed.  Through practice, practice, practice, I am seeing the beauty in so many more situations, people, and events and because of this I am happier.  It’s the kind of happy, I always aspired to be but yet somehow felt out of reach or like I couldn’t figure out how to get there and yet so many others around me seemed so happy.  It’s in practicing appreciation of moments that is most certainly putting me on this path…and I love it.  So, today, tell yourself it takes 7 days to form a habit (it may take few more but 7 days is a good start) and take a moment to see a moment.  A laugh with a colleague, the warmth in hearing from a friend, the love you feel when you hear your spouses voice, the joy you see when your child sees you, and the love you feel when you look at those you love, family, friends, pets, whatever.  These moments can make today, your new favorite day.  I know my new ability to treasure moments has truly helped me as I continue to evolve in this journey and make each day ‘mynewfavoriteday’.  Happy treasuring!

Treasure Every Moment You Have.