What’s Essential to Me (In the Pursuit of Happiness)

We can smile, breathe, walk, and eat our meals in a way that allows us to be in touch with the abundance of happiness that is available. We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car, a house, and so on. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive. [i]

So I try. I really do.

Like yesterday, for example, in the middle of tending to the persistent house chores that were calling screaming my name, I stopped for a moment to watch my son play in his room.

He was kneeling next to his toy chest while fervently digging through the box. He carelessly tossed toys onto our wooden floor. All of a sudden, he stood up, lifting two doll characters out of the chest, striking a conversation with one of them. Imagination sparks flew through the air, fueled by his creative juices, lighting up the room like a swarm of brilliant dancing fireflies. It was beautiful.

Moments are essential.

Like the other day, when, out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of my little Big Girl happily packing a small suitcase, filling it with her toys and knick-knacks, excited beyond words about the first family skiing trip she was about to embark upon.

Oh, she was so grown up and focused on her task. One pair of socks, two warm shirts, one comfy pair of pajamas … and one serving of nostalgia for Mom.

Or like the other day, while driving to the invincible, cozy fortress—aka, our home— we were singing our favorite song by Foo Fighters, loudly and mostly out of tune: “One of theeese daaays.”  It was so Rock ’n Roll! I paused my thoughts for a second to marvel at the magic of motherhood, still unable to fully grasp the beauty of creation. Was I really responsible for giving them their lives? Incredible! It was so humbling.

Moments are essential.

In my constant pursuit of happiness, I’m learning how to stop. To stop to gather and cherish these warm moments; these passing-by smiles, the soft and loving hugs my kids share with me for free, and the kisses they plant on my cheeks to make me feel better.

That gleeful shine in their large eyes, that heartfelt, infectious laughter – those are the moments that are essential to me—and when I’m unaware of them, they get swallowed up by the omnipotent Time.

Never.To. Come.Back.

Ever.

So I hope you all will take a moment today to recognize what special blessings you are to your children, to realize how powerful your presence is in their lives.

Take a moment to slow down, squeeze every moment … and share it with them.

It is priceless.

Tell your story… What do you feel is essential in your life?

Please note: Nordic Naturals is currently running a What’s Essential Contest where you can share what is essential to you and be entered to win a trip for two, to Santa Cruz, California!  Follow Nordic Naturals on Facebook or visit the What Essential website to find out more about the contest; or you can read my review of Nordic Naturals’ Fish Oil.

Related posts: