B. LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT

12. Enjoy the Beautiful Day.
What is the weather like? Is it hot? Rainy? Windy? Enjoy getting where you are going. Are you walking, driving, riding a bus? Are people talking, music playing, birds singing? Take notice of the colors, smells, textures, buildings, sounds, people . . . everything around you. Take pleasure in the freedom you have to go from place to place. Stop and smell the roses. This day will not happen again. Experience it. Take pleasure in the moment. It’s great to be alive. (JE)

13. Enjoy Feeling Fine.
Remember when you had a toothache, the flu, or a migraine. Remember the relief you felt when you first started to feel better? Until we are sick, we rarely appreciate how good it feels to feel well. Be glad you are well.

14. Having a Rotten Day?
Things not going as planned? Try another approach, or do something else for a while. Have a good laugh over it. It’s the wacky days that make the best stories, not the smooth days. Often, something more valuable comes out of unplanned experiences. Maybe this is the day you will meet a special new friend, gain a new insight, or learn to relax and not have to be in control.

15. Lighten Up and Put Things in Perspective.
Having a mini-crisis? Is the world crashing down around you? Hey, relax. First of all, panicking never solved anything. Second, most things are not that bad in hindsight. You’re tougher than you think. You’ll get through this, and you’ll probably learn something valuable in the process. You’ll be okay!

16. Take Action to Make Your Dreams Happen.
What do you want to do that you haven’t made time for? Do you want to take a painting class, write a book, dye your hair, take a trip, run a marathon? What’s stopping you? Probably you. Too busy? Hey, with that attitude, you’ll never get around to it. So make time. Make yourself a priority for once. Make a list of things you’d like to try, and sign yourself up for something or call and make reservations. Just do it! Now get going. (And if you think it’s too late to start something new, Grandmas Moses was in her eighties when she started painting. But don’t you wait that long.) (JE)