There are lessons all around us, if we just pay attention.
My granddaughter is a big Peppa Pig fan. Not only has she adopted a British accent, but she also loves jumping in puddles whenever they appear. She grins from ear to ear and heads straight for the puddle.
As a responsible grandparent, I try not to bring her home covered in mud and get hard looks from my daughter. But sometimes, I make an exception—especially if she’s dressed for it.
The laughter and joy she gets from jumping in puddles is heartwarming. It’s a perfect example of being “in the moment.” She’s not thinking about snacks, games, or anything else. There’s NOTHING before, and NOTHING after. It’s just that miraculous moment of jumping in the puddle and the splash that follows.
As adults, we’ve mostly forgotten how to truly experience the moment, with nothing else on our minds. Now that our careers are behind us or winding down, we have a chance to let go of all the things we’ve spent years juggling.
Think about how you can let go of old habits that keep you in a constant rush and just be present. It could be:
- Enjoying your first sip of coffee in the morning
- The taste of food on your tongue
- The water hitting your skin in the shower
- Brushing your teeth
- The smile of a loved one
- The feeling of water splashing from a muddy puddle
This chapter invites us to focus on the moment, without the stress of everything else.
