Appreciate the Moment
What are you doing right now? Who is with you? Are you taking it all in… even the little things? In today’s world, we find ourselves constantly busy… not always productive… but doing something. How often do you pause, take it all in, and appreciate the moment – whatever that moment might be? Our next watercolor wisdom - lessons I’ve learned through watercolor that can be applied to life – is…
Appreciate the moment…
I’ve found that as I paint, I need to be in the moment so the creativity can flow. Distractions can prevent me from focusing which can impact how I paint. I need to pay attention to the paints and how they interact with the water and with each other. I need to focus on techniques and how the brush is working. I often have music playing to relax me so I can let the creativity happen. I’m by myself but I’m one with the paint and the paper and the brushes and the music. I’m learning that I like the work I’m producing better if I’m enjoying and appreciating the moment as I paint… if I’m noticing everything and loving the good and the not-so-good.
In life, how often do we do things to just check off a box or just to get it done? How often do we miss out on the special moments because we’re too busy to notice them? Or we’re experiencing them but not really present? Do you know what I mean? A quote by an unknown author says “Appreciate life as it happens. Moments will soon pass, and you will wish you had treasured them more.”
This month, my husband and I will drop our daughter off at college for the first time. She is our one and only child, and she is my heart. As I’m writing this blog post, I’m surrounded by items for college because the studio has become the gathering spot. There are shopping trips to do, various doctor’s appointments to complete, packing to begin, and lots of planning to accomplish. But through it all I’m trying really hard to enjoy the moments with my girl… to appreciate the laughter, her smile, the conversations, the silly interactions, the serious discussions, her excitement and even her concerns. I’m trying to create memories and connection. And I’m trying to appreciate all the moments – big and small.
I’m doing all of this because I know that time is short. But what if we did this all the time… every day? What if we made a point to take it all in and be thankful when we’re experiencing the big moments but also when we’re doing the simple and mundane parts of life, like cleaning the table after dinner or taking the dog for a walk or gathering the laundry? When we take time to notice the faces of those we’re with we can connect with them better. When we make a point of listening to the sounds that surround us, we can understand the energy better. When we notice the colors in the leaves or the sunset, life becomes more brilliant. When we truly appreciate the moment, life takes on a whole new meaning and comes alive.
I hope you’ll join me in trying to pause, take it all in, and appreciate the moments of life. Let’s not wish after the fact that we had treasured them; let’s appreciate them now… in the moment.