There are all sorts of ways to manifest the concept of “living in the moment” or “being present.”  Although the example I’m about to detail involves elements of planning ahead, I still see it as living in the moment because it’s a promise to partake in a big event of which its logistics I didn’t over-think.

Seven days ago, one of my best friends, Margie, emailed me.  She asked me if I’d like to accompany her to Jamaica for a few days at the end of March.  We then spoke about it on the phone.  After talking, we realized Jamaica may not be the best fit for the travel we had in mind, and we also had to reconfigure the proposed timeline a smidge.  Then, I suggested we visit Belize. I’ve never been; neither has Margie.  We both loved the idea.

Four days later, as I sat by the burning midnight oil (aka: the glow of my laptop screen), I bought my plane ticket; the next morning, Margie bought hers.  Bam! We were set to travel to the exotic Central American country for yoga, hiking, swimming, and unplugging.  This won’t be Margie’s and my first time rendezvousing in a foreign land, flying in from completely different areas of the US, but we’re just as excited as if it was.   I will fly to BZE from Columbus OH through Atlanta and Margie will fly from Burlington VT through DC and Miami.  We will arrive in-country less than an hour apart from one another which is a closer match up than the time we flew to Ireland separately and she arrived the night before the morning I did.  We are pleased with ourselves 😉

Anyway, I just thought this was a funny little story and an example of not overthinking things which helps me feel like I’m being present with what’s best for my soul.  Ok, so it’s not literally living in the moment as we usually think about it, but for me, one who used to (and sometimes still does) agonizingly over-evaluate major decisions, it feels nice to just go with my gut on something like this and not spend days thinking things to death like:

–          “Should I spend my money on this trip?” Answer – yes, it makes me happy. I’ve been feeling frazzled again lately and feel as though I need a yoga retreat to reconnect with my center.  Plus, I haven’t seen Margie in many months and I miss her darnit! 😉

–          or “Is this the best use of my time?” Yes, re-engaging with yoga in an environment such as Belize, reconnecting with one of my very best friends, and unplugging will do me a world of good more than staying at home and sitting in front of my computer for those five days.  The release and re-center I may experience could lead to better insight and creativity.

–          or “Is this the ‘perfect’ use of my time/money/energy when I have a lot of other commitments on my plate right now?” Yes, because what is ‘perfect’ for one may be ‘imperfect’ for another, and for me, this trip encompasses all things important to the vitality of my heart (working on self-awareness, dedication to an important friendship, time in nature, and healthy eating and activity), thus, it is perfect.  Furthermore, I recognize that I have the blessing to pick up and go like this; I know not everyone can.

Anyway, Margie’s email to me two days ago siting our first brainstorming email prompted this whole post.  She wrote, “I just wanted to make note of this.  We exchanged links and brainstormed this trip FIVE DAYS AGO… and now we’re booked.  Hahaha.  I love us.”

I love us, too, Largie 😉

These days, my practice is teaching me to embrace imperfection: to have compassion for all the ways things haven’t turned out as I planned, in my body and in my life – for the ways things keep falling apart, and failing, and breaking down. It’s less about fixing things, and more about learning to be present for exactly what is.   Anne Cushman