Living in the Moment

Recently, after hours of pounding the concrete floor at a convention in Florida, I stepped outside to gather a moment of peace. I felt as though all of my energy had been sucked out of me. Walking over to a beautiful oak tree, I sat down and shut my eyes. Then, I was startled to hear a female voice say, “Hi, looks like you’re enjoying yourself.” My immediate reaction was to hope she’d go away, but her familiar Dallas accent was welcoming, and I opened my heart to hear her words.

Lynn was a true “Dallas gal” in that she loved to make a lot of small talk. I listened and replied mainly with friendly nods and smiles... until she said these words: “At times we need to stop producing and just live in the moment.”

“Hmmm...,” I thought. What did she mean by that?

Lynn kept chattering away, and I kept nodding in agreement. But my mind was stuck on what she’d said about “producing.” It dawned on me that I’ve been a “producer” all my life – always going a hundred miles an hour and never truly living in the moment. I tell my friends I get tons of “R&R,” which stands for “rush and rush,” and not “rest and relaxation.”

Soon Lynn turned and said, “Well, have a great rest of the day.” I never saw her again. I sat quietly for a while, reflecting on her words, and I realized that being a producer is an excellent trait as long as you take the time to enjoy what you’ve produced.

Ever since that brief encounter, I catch myself reflecting more on what I’ve produced instead of continually spinning my wheels trying to find the next project. I’m less stressed, more balanced, more at peace, and I actually enjoy living in the moment.

People can come into your life for a split second, but their message can change your life forever. Open your mind and heart to others and it will come back to you tenfold.

WENDIE PETT is a mother and fitness expert, the author of Every Woman's Guide to Personal Power and co-author of The Miracle Seven. She trains people individually and conducts seminars to corporate groups to help teach others how to maximize their wellness through the balance of mind, body, and spirit. For more information on Wendie visit www.wendiepettworkouts.com.