The pursuit of happiness. Is that even a real thing in America today? When Thomas Jefferson wrote those words, I wonder if how we live is what he had in mind. Currently, many people are living their lives in the pursuit of things.
But there is a wave of people who are shunning that way of life and are endeavoring to have a way of life that lets them enjoy living. Their lives are focused on the very task in front of them. They are not living by a list of things to do and to buy and bills to pay. They are watching the sunrise while they sip a cup of coffee made on a pot-belly stove. They are looking out the window and watching the chickens scratch around and the clouds passing by while they wash their dishes in a sink filled with water that they heated on the same pot-bellied stove.
Each task that makes up a day has two purposes. One is to provide the basic necessities of living: food, shelter, heat, clothing. The second purpose of each task is to bring the person into that very moment. To be totally present and focused. Once a person learns this way of being, it changes your life. A day can still be filled with a million things to do, but each one is the only important one.
One time I was moving 600 heavy landscape blocks. A man stopped by and watched for a little bit. He asked me how I could carry all of them and keep a smile on my face. My answer was I only think about the one I am carrying, not all of the ones before or all of the ones waiting to be moved. I was lucky enough to learn the by each moment way of living a long time ago. It is a way of living that gives me the ability to get lots of things done and enjoy each one of them.
Right now, our world is filled with things but our lives are empty. The pursuit of something bigger, or something better is always in our line of vision, blocking out what is important: right now. We give up our time with our family to work extra hours, sometimes at jobs that we dont enjoy. We sometimes spend our whole lives at jobs that we dont enjoy because we are waiting for retirement so we can live the life that we dream about.
People work and find things to enjoy about their daily lives. Friends, families, co-workers, pets, hobbies, walking, biking, music, and art have the ability to fill our days with joyful moments. The key is to be there. To make eye contact with the children that you are talking to. To ask the questions that keep conversations lively. To unplug from your earbuds when you are in nature and listen to the song that the wind sings as it blows through the trees. Enjoy coffee with your spouse or friend before your day begins.
Laugh a lot. Love even more. Life is precious and so very short. Make your moments count. Kindness matters!
